Deanda — Magistrate judge recommended accepting felony drug guilty plea

Reported / Citable

Background

Rodolfo Botello Deanda was charged in Count One of an indictment with violating 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B). The government also filed a sentencing-enhancement information under 21 U.S.C. § 851, and Deanda admitted the prior conviction identified in that filing.

With Deanda’s written consent, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald C. Griffin conducted a guilty-plea and allocution hearing under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11 on August 4, 2026. Deanda and the government had entered a written plea agreement, and Deanda agreed to forfeit the property identified in the indictment.

The Court’s Holding

The magistrate judge found that Deanda knowingly and voluntarily consented to the plea proceeding before a magistrate judge, subject to the district judge’s final approval and imposition of sentence. The judge also found that Deanda was competent, understood the charge and the consequences of pleading guilty, and entered a knowing and voluntary plea supported by an independent factual basis establishing every essential element of the offense.

Based on those findings, the magistrate judge recommended that the district judge accept Deanda’s guilty plea and adjudge him guilty. The filing is a report and recommendation, not a final acceptance of the plea or a judgment of conviction.

Key Takeaways

• The magistrate judge found that Deanda’s Rule 11 plea was knowing, voluntary, competent, and factually supported.
• Deanda pleaded true to the prior conviction alleged in the government’s § 851 sentencing-enhancement information.
• The district judge retains responsibility for finally accepting the plea, adjudicating guilt, and imposing sentence; objections to the recommendation are due within 14 days after service unless that period is modified.

Why It Matters

The recommendation confirms that the procedural requirements for Deanda’s felony guilty plea were satisfied while preserving the district judge’s authority to make the final decision. It also records that Deanda was advised of both the ordinary statutory range—five to 40 years’ imprisonment—and the enhanced range—10 years to life—associated with the alleged prior conviction.