Reported / Citable
Background
Widifredo Gamez-Pineda appeared with counsel before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters for a felony guilty-plea proceeding. The case had been referred to the magistrate judge under a general order for the taking of a felony plea.
After receiving Rule 11 admonishments, Gamez-Pineda consented to having the magistrate judge take his plea. He pleaded guilty, without a plea agreement, to Count One of the indictment, charging illegal reentry into the United States.
The Court’s Holding
The magistrate judge found that Gamez-Pineda understood the charge, penalties, and his constitutional and statutory rights; that he knowingly and voluntarily waived those rights; and that he was competent to plead guilty. The magistrate judge also found a sufficient factual basis for the plea.
The magistrate judge found Gamez-Pineda guilty of the charge to which he pleaded and recommended that the district judge accept the guilty plea and enter a judgment of guilt. The matter was referred to the presiding district judge for sentencing.
Key Takeaways
- Gamez-Pineda pleaded guilty to illegal reentry without a plea agreement.
- The magistrate judge concluded that the plea complied with Rule 11 and was knowing, voluntary, and supported by a factual basis.
- The recommendation remained subject to objections and review by the district judge before sentencing.
Why It Matters
The filing illustrates the magistrate-judge plea process in felony cases: with the defendant’s consent, a magistrate judge may conduct the Rule 11 proceeding and issue findings and a recommendation, while the district judge retains responsibility for accepting the recommendation and imposing sentence.