Reported / Citable
Background
Stephens Arnold Michels, also known as Steven Arnold Michels, was charged in Count 1 of an indictment with possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2).
Michels entered a guilty plea under a Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement. U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne conducted the Rule 11 proceeding and recommended acceptance of the plea. The parties waived objections to the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation.
The Court’s Holding
District Judge Rodney Gilstrap adopted the magistrate judge’s September 30, 2026 findings of fact and recommendation and found Michels guilty of Count 1 pursuant to his plea agreement.
The court reserved its authority to reject the Rule 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement after reviewing the presentence report if it determines that the agreed sentence is not an appropriate disposition of the case.
Key Takeaways
- The court accepted Michels’s guilty plea to possession of child pornography under 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2).
- The parties waived objections to the magistrate judge’s recommendation.
- Acceptance of the plea did not bind the court to the agreed sentence before review of the presentence report.
Why It Matters
The order formally establishes Michels’s guilt on Count 1 while preserving the district court’s Rule 11(c)(1)(C) discretion over whether the proposed sentencing disposition is appropriate.