Reported / Citable
Background
Toronzo Noctavia Houston was charged in Count One of an indictment with possessing a firearm as a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
The district court referred the administration of Houston’s guilty plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson. After conducting a hearing under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, Judge Stetson issued findings of fact and recommended that the district court accept the plea and adjudge Houston guilty on Count One. Neither party objected.
The Court’s Holding
U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone adopted the magistrate judge’s findings of fact and recommendation. The court accepted Houston’s guilty plea.
Consistent with the plea and the magistrate judge’s recommendation, the court adjudged Houston guilty on Count One of the indictment for violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
Key Takeaways
- The court accepted Houston’s guilty plea after a Rule 11 proceeding before the magistrate judge.
- No party objected to the magistrate judge’s findings or recommendation.
- Houston was adjudged guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
Why It Matters
The order formally accepts Houston’s plea and adjudicates him guilty on Count One. It also illustrates the procedure by which a district judge may adopt an unopposed magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation following a Rule 11 guilty-plea hearing.