Reported / Citable
Background
Prospero Pedroza-Ortiz appeared with counsel before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters for a felony guilty-plea proceeding. The matter had been referred under a general order for the magistrate judge to take the plea.
After being advised of his right to have the district judge take the plea and receiving Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11 admonishments, Pedroza-Ortiz pleaded guilty without a plea agreement to Count One, illegal reentry into the United States.
The Court’s Holding
Judge Watters found that Pedroza-Ortiz understood the charge, penalties, and his constitutional and statutory rights; voluntarily waived those rights; was competent; and entered his plea freely and voluntarily. The magistrate judge also found a sufficient factual basis for the plea.
The magistrate judge found Pedroza-Ortiz guilty of the charge to which he pleaded and recommended that Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses accept the guilty plea and enter a judgment of guilt. Sentencing was referred to the presiding district judge.
Key Takeaways
- The defendant pleaded guilty to illegal reentry without a plea agreement.
- The magistrate judge concluded that the Rule 11 plea was knowing, voluntary, and supported by a factual basis.
- The filing is a recommendation to the district judge, and parties have 14 days to object.
Why It Matters
The recommendation clears the case for district-court acceptance of the plea and sentencing. Unless timely objections are filed, unobjected-to proposed findings and conclusions generally face only plain-error review on appeal.