Reported / Citable
Background
The United States charged Keisha Belinda Prater in Count One of the indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349.
The district court referred administration of Prater’s guilty plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11. After conducting the plea hearing, the magistrate judge recommended that the court accept the plea and adjudge Prater guilty. Neither party objected to the findings or recommendation.
The Court’s Holding
District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle adopted the magistrate judge’s Findings of Fact and Recommendation on Guilty Plea. The court accepted Prater’s guilty plea and found her guilty of Count One, conspiracy to commit wire fraud under § 1349.
The court did not yet accept the parties’ plea agreement. It deferred that decision until after reviewing the presentence report.
Key Takeaways
- The court adopted the unopposed Rule 11 plea recommendation.
- Prater was adjudged guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1349.
- Acceptance of the plea agreement remains deferred pending review of the presentence report.
Why It Matters
The order resolves Prater’s guilt on the charged wire-fraud-conspiracy count while preserving the court’s ability to assess the plea agreement after reviewing sentencing information. The case will therefore proceed to presentence review and sentencing-related proceedings.