Reported / Citable
Background
The district court referred the matter to U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell to administer Joe Anthony Castillo’s guilty plea under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11. After conducting the required hearing, the magistrate judge issued findings of fact and recommended that the court accept Castillo’s plea and adjudge him guilty on count three of the indictment.
Castillo waived his right to object to the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation. Count three charged him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).
The Court’s Holding
The district court accepted the magistrate judge’s findings of fact and recommendation concerning Castillo’s guilty plea. It also accepted Castillo’s plea and found him guilty of count three.
The court did not yet accept the plea agreement. Instead, it deferred that decision until after reviewing the presentence report.
Key Takeaways
- The court accepted Castillo’s Rule 11 guilty plea after adopting the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation.
- Castillo was adjudged guilty of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).
- Acceptance of the plea agreement remained deferred pending review of the presentence report.
Why It Matters
The order distinguishes acceptance of a defendant’s guilty plea from acceptance of the associated plea agreement. Although Castillo was adjudged guilty, the court retained the opportunity to evaluate the agreement after reviewing sentencing information in the presentence report.