Reported / Citable
Background
Everardo Gonzalez-Mendez appeared with counsel before a magistrate judge for a felony guilty-plea proceeding. The case had been referred under a general order for the taking of the plea.
After receiving Rule 11 admonishments, Gonzalez-Mendez pleaded guilty without a plea agreement to Count One of the indictment, charging illegal reentry into the United States. Sentencing was reserved for the presiding district judge.
The Court’s Holding
Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters found that Gonzalez-Mendez knowingly and voluntarily consented to the magistrate judge taking his plea, understood the charge, penalties, and rights he waived, and was competent to plead guilty.
The magistrate judge also found a sufficient factual basis for the plea and found Gonzalez-Mendez guilty of the charged offense. The judge recommended that the district court accept the plea and enter a judgment of guilt.
Key Takeaways
- Gonzalez-Mendez pleaded guilty to illegal reentry without a plea agreement.
- The magistrate judge found the plea voluntary, knowing, competent, and supported by a factual basis.
- The recommendation remains subject to objections and district-court review; sentencing will be conducted by the district judge.
Why It Matters
The decision documents completion of the Rule 11 plea colloquy and recommends acceptance of the defendant’s guilty plea. It does not impose sentence or resolve any sentencing issues.