Reported / Citable
Background
Pedro Cambron-Vargas was charged in Count One of an indictment with violating 18 U.S.C. § 1791(a)(2), which prohibits an inmate from possessing a prohibited object.
The district court referred administration of Cambron-Vargas’s guilty plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn. After conducting a hearing under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, the magistrate judge recommended that the district court accept the plea and adjudge Cambron-Vargas guilty on Count One. Neither party objected to the findings and recommendation.
The Court’s Holding
U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone adopted the magistrate judge’s findings of fact and recommendation and accepted Cambron-Vargas’s guilty plea.
Consistent with the plea and recommendation, the court adjudged Cambron-Vargas guilty on Count One of the indictment. It also ordered defense counsel to review the presentence report with Cambron-Vargas and file any objections before the sentencing hearing.
Key Takeaways
- The court accepted Cambron-Vargas’s Rule 11 guilty plea after no party objected to the magistrate judge’s recommendation.
- Cambron-Vargas was adjudged guilty of inmate possession of a prohibited object under 18 U.S.C. § 1791(a)(2).
- The case proceeds to sentencing, with presentence-report objections due before the sentencing hearing.
Why It Matters
The order formally resolves the guilt phase as to Count One by accepting the plea and entering an adjudication of guilt. It also begins the next procedural stage by directing counsel to review the presentence report and raise any objections before sentencing.