Reported / Citable
Background
The district court referred the administration of Luther Levann Jackson, Jr.’s guilty plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11. After conducting the plea hearing, Judge Hawthorn issued findings of fact and recommended that the district court accept Jackson’s plea and adjudge him guilty on Count One of the indictment.
Neither party objected to the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation. Count One charged Jackson with violating 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) by possessing with intent to distribute and distributing actual methamphetamine.
The Court’s Holding
The district court adopted the magistrate judge’s findings of fact and recommendation and accepted Jackson’s guilty plea. In accordance with the plea and the adopted recommendation, the court adjudged Jackson guilty on Count One.
The court also ordered defense counsel to review and discuss the presentence report with Jackson and to file any objections before the sentencing hearing.
Key Takeaways
- The court accepted Jackson’s Rule 11 guilty plea after no party objected to the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation.
- Jackson was adjudged guilty of possessing with intent to distribute and distributing actual methamphetamine under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).
- Defense counsel must review the presentence report with Jackson and submit any objections before sentencing.
Why It Matters
The order formally resolves the guilt phase as to Count One and moves the case into sentencing proceedings. It also preserves the parties’ opportunity to raise timely objections to the presentence report before the sentencing hearing.