Reported / Citable
Background
Jaron Isaac Benavides was charged in Count One of an indictment with transferring obscene matter to a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1470.
The district court referred administration of Benavides’s guilty plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson. After conducting a hearing under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, Judge Stetson recommended that the court accept the plea and adjudge Benavides guilty on Count One. Neither party objected to her findings and recommendation.
The Court’s Holding
The court adopted the magistrate judge’s findings of fact and recommendation and accepted Benavides’s guilty plea.
In accordance with the plea and the magistrate judge’s recommendation, the court adjudged Benavides guilty on Count One of the indictment for violating 18 U.S.C. § 1470.
Key Takeaways
- The district court accepted Benavides’s guilty plea after a Rule 11 proceeding before a magistrate judge.
- Neither party objected to the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation.
- Benavides was adjudged guilty of transferring obscene matter to a minor under 18 U.S.C. § 1470.
Why It Matters
The order formally resolves the guilt phase as to Count One by accepting the plea and adjudging Benavides guilty. It also illustrates the use of a magistrate judge to conduct a Rule 11 plea hearing and recommend acceptance of the plea to the district judge.