Miranda Pacheco — Magistrate judge recommended accepting guilty plea to illegal reentry

Reported / Citable

Background

Uriel Miranda Pacheco was charged with illegal reentry into the United States in Count One of an indictment. The case was referred by general order to a U.S. magistrate judge to conduct the felony guilty-plea proceeding.

On July 10, 2026, Miranda Pacheco appeared with counsel before Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters. After being advised of his right to have the district judge take his plea and receiving the admonishments required by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, he consented to proceed before the magistrate judge and pleaded guilty without a plea agreement.

The Court’s Holding

The magistrate judge found that Miranda Pacheco understood the charge, potential penalties, and the constitutional and statutory rights he was waiving. The judge also found that the plea was knowing and voluntary, that Miranda Pacheco was competent to plead guilty, and that a sufficient factual basis supported the plea.

Based on those findings, the magistrate judge recommended that the district judge accept the guilty plea and enter a judgment of guilt. The matter was referred to the presiding district judge for sentencing, and the parties were given 14 days to object to the findings and recommendation.

Key Takeaways

• Miranda Pacheco pleaded guilty to illegal reentry without a plea agreement.
• The magistrate judge found that the Rule 11 requirements were satisfied and that the plea had a sufficient factual basis.
• The recommendation remains subject to district-court review, and sentencing will be conducted by the presiding district judge.

Why It Matters

The recommendation documents the procedural safeguards required before a federal court may accept a felony guilty plea, including confirmation that the defendant understands the charge, penalties, and waived rights.

It also reflects the division of responsibility in a magistrate-conducted plea proceeding: the magistrate judge took the plea and issued a recommendation, while the district judge retains responsibility for accepting the recommendation and imposing sentence.