Reported / Citable
Background
Dionte Rechard Johnson was charged in Count One of an indictment with violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(o), which prohibits the unlawful possession or transfer of a machine gun.
The district court referred administration of Johnson’s guilty plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson. After conducting a hearing under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, Judge Stetson issued findings of fact and recommended that the district court accept Johnson’s plea and adjudge him guilty on Count One. Neither party objected.
The Court’s Holding
District Judge Michael J. Truncale adopted the magistrate judge’s findings of fact and recommendation. The court accepted Johnson’s guilty plea.
In accordance with the plea and the adopted recommendation, the court adjudged Johnson guilty on Count One of the indictment for unlawful possession or transfer of a machine gun under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o).
Key Takeaways
- The district court adopted the magistrate judge’s unopposed findings and recommendation concerning Johnson’s guilty plea.
- The court found that the Rule 11 plea proceedings supported acceptance of the plea.
- Johnson was adjudged guilty on Count One under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o).
Why It Matters
The order formally accepts Johnson’s guilty plea and establishes his conviction on the machine-gun charge. It also illustrates the process by which a district judge may refer a plea proceeding to a magistrate judge and then adopt the resulting recommendation when no party objects.