Reported / Citable
Background
The case was referred by general order to U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters to take a felony guilty plea. On September 1, 2026, Cristian Gabriel Rodriguez-Baiza appeared with counsel for a Rule 11 plea proceeding.
Rodriguez-Baiza consented to having the magistrate judge take his plea. He pleaded guilty, without a plea agreement, to Count One of the indictment, charging illegal reentry into the United States. Sentencing remains for the presiding district judge.
The Court’s Holding
Judge Watters found that Rodriguez-Baiza understood the charge, potential penalties, and his constitutional and statutory rights, and that he knowingly and voluntarily waived those rights. The magistrate judge also found him competent and concluded that his guilty plea was knowing, voluntary, and supported by a sufficient factual basis.
The magistrate judge found Rodriguez-Baiza guilty of the offense to which he pleaded and recommended that the district judge accept the plea and enter a judgment of guilt. The recommendation advised the parties that objections must be filed within 14 days.
Key Takeaways
- Rodriguez-Baiza pleaded guilty to illegal reentry without a plea agreement.
- The magistrate judge found the Rule 11 requirements satisfied, including competence, voluntariness, and a factual basis.
- The filing is a recommendation; the presiding district judge will decide whether to accept the plea and will conduct sentencing.
Why It Matters
The recommendation preserves the distinction between the magistrate judge’s plea colloquy and the district judge’s ultimate acceptance of the plea and sentencing. Parties who seek review must timely object to the proposed findings and recommendation.