Reported / Citable
Background
The district court referred Chelsea Rae Gatte’s guilty-plea proceeding to U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn for administration under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11. Judge Hawthorn conducted the Rule 11 hearing and issued findings of fact and a recommendation that the court accept Gatte’s plea.
The magistrate judge also recommended adjudicating Gatte guilty on Count One of the indictment. Neither party objected to the findings and recommendation.
The Court’s Holding
U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone adopted the magistrate judge’s findings of fact and recommendation. The court accepted Gatte’s guilty plea but deferred acceptance of the plea agreement until after reviewing the presentence report.
Based on the plea and the magistrate judge’s findings, the court adjudged Gatte guilty on Count One, which charged possession with intent to distribute “actual” methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).
Key Takeaways
- The court adopted the unopposed findings and recommendation entered after the Rule 11 plea hearing.
- Gatte was adjudged guilty of possessing “actual” methamphetamine with intent to distribute under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).
- The court accepted the guilty plea but postponed its decision on the plea agreement until after reviewing the presentence report.
Why It Matters
The order establishes Gatte’s conviction on Count One while preserving the district court’s ability to evaluate the plea agreement after receiving sentencing information. It also illustrates the use of a magistrate judge to conduct a Rule 11 proceeding, followed by district-court review and adoption of the resulting recommendation.