Reported / Citable
Background
Donte Brown was charged in Count One of an indictment with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).
The district court referred administration of Brown’s guilty plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson. After conducting a hearing under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, Judge Stetson issued findings of fact and recommended that the district court accept Brown’s plea and adjudge him guilty on Count One. Neither party objected.
The Court’s Holding
The district court adopted Judge Stetson’s findings of fact and recommendation on Brown’s guilty plea. It accepted Brown’s plea without modification.
Consistent with the plea and the magistrate judge’s recommendation, the court adjudged Brown guilty on Count One of the indictment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).
Key Takeaways
- The court accepted Brown’s guilty plea after a Rule 11 proceeding before a magistrate judge.
- Neither the government nor Brown objected to the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation.
- Brown was adjudged guilty of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).
Why It Matters
The order completes the plea-adjudication stage of the prosecution by formally accepting Brown’s plea and entering a guilty adjudication on Count One. It also illustrates the use of a magistrate judge to conduct a Rule 11 plea proceeding and recommend acceptance to the district court.