Reported / Citable
Background
Ramiro Reyes-Duarte was charged with Count One of an indictment: illegal reentry into the United States in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. The case was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge for the taking of a felony guilty plea under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3).
On June 30, 2026, Reyes-Duarte appeared before Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Cordova with his counsel. The magistrate judge personally addressed the defendant and provided admonitions required under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11. Importantly, no plea agreement had been negotiated in this case—the defendant pled guilty to the charge without any negotiated terms.
The Court’s Holding
The magistrate judge found that Reyes-Duarte’s guilty plea was knowing, voluntary, and procedurally sound. Specifically, the court found that the defendant understood the nature of the charges and penalties, understood his constitutional and statutory rights, and freely and voluntarily waived those rights with counsel’s advice.
The court determined that Reyes-Duarte was competent to enter the plea and that there was a sufficient factual basis supporting the guilty plea to illegal reentry. The defendant was found guilty of the charge, and the court recommended that the guilty plea be accepted and a judgment of guilt be entered. The case was then referred to the presiding United States District Judge (Ernest Gonzalez) for sentencing, where the defendant may also be subject to restitution.
Key Takeaways
- Reyes-Duarte pleaded guilty without a negotiated plea agreement, a raw guilty plea to illegal reentry under 8 U.S.C. § 1326.
- The magistrate judge conducted a Rule 11 colloquy and found all procedural requirements satisfied: knowing and voluntary waiver of rights, competency, and factual basis.
- Sentencing authority remains with the District Judge, who may impose restitution as part of the sentence.
Why It Matters
This case reflects the routine procedural handling of illegal reentry prosecutions in the Western District of Texas. The magistrate judge’s findings confirm proper compliance with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11’s requirements for guilty pleas, ensuring that any conviction will withstand appellate scrutiny on procedural grounds. Reyes-Duarte’s waiver of his right to trial and his admission to unlawful reentry eliminate any fact-finding burden at sentencing.
For the defendant, the critical phase now shifts to sentencing, where the District Judge will determine appropriate punishment. Illegal reentry carries mandatory minimum and maximum sentences, and the defendant’s immigration history, prior criminal record, and individual circumstances will inform the District Judge’s decision.