Reported / Citable
Background
Rubenia Isolina Pereira-Gonzalez was charged in Count One with illegal reentry into the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. The case was referred to a magistrate judge under a general order for the taking of a felony guilty plea.
On July 2, 2026, Pereira-Gonzalez and her counsel appeared before Magistrate Judge Joseph A Cordova. She consented to having the magistrate judge take her plea and pleaded guilty to Count One without a plea agreement. Sentencing was reserved for the presiding district judge.
The Court’s Holding
After conducting Rule 11 admonishments, the magistrate judge found that Pereira-Gonzalez understood the charge, penalties, and rights she was waiving; that she was competent; and that her plea was knowing, free, and voluntary.
The magistrate judge also found a sufficient factual basis for the plea and found Pereira-Gonzalez guilty of the charged offense. The magistrate judge recommended that the district judge accept the guilty plea and enter a judgment of guilt.
Key Takeaways
- Pereira-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to illegal reentry under 8 U.S.C. § 1326 without a plea agreement.
- The magistrate judge concluded that the Rule 11 requirements were satisfied and that a factual basis supported the plea.
- The recommendation remains subject to objections and review by the district judge, who will conduct sentencing.
Why It Matters
The decision is a plea-stage recommendation, not a sentencing ruling. It documents that the magistrate judge found the plea valid and recommends formal acceptance by the district court.