Reported / Citable
Background
The case was referred to U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Boone Baxter to administer Dennis Lee Chilton’s guilty plea under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11.
After conducting a Rule 11 hearing, Judge Baxter recommended accepting Chilton’s plea, conditionally approving the plea agreement pending review of the presentence report, and adjudging him guilty on Count Three of the indictment. Count Three charged sexual exploitation of children under 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a).
The Court’s Holding
District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III adopted the magistrate judge’s report and recommendation.
The court accepted and approved Chilton’s guilty plea, conditionally approved the plea agreement subject to presentence-report review, and entered a judgment finding Chilton guilty on Count Three.
Key Takeaways
- The court adopted the magistrate judge’s Rule 11 recommendation.
- Chilton’s guilty plea to Count Three was accepted and approved.
- The plea agreement remains conditioned on review of the presentence report.
Why It Matters
The order formally adjudicates Chilton guilty of the charged child-sexual-exploitation offense after his Rule 11 plea proceeding. Sentencing-related consideration of the plea agreement remains subject to the court’s review of the presentence report.