Reported / Citable
Background
Daniel Luna-Chavez was charged in the Western District of Texas and elected to plead guilty to Count 1 of the indictment. He waived his appearance before the district court and instead appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower for the felony-plea proceeding and allocution under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11.
On July 8, 2026, the magistrate judge filed a report and recommendation advising the district court to accept the guilty plea. Luna-Chavez did not oppose that recommendation.
The Court’s Holding
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman reviewed the case file and the magistrate judge’s report and recommendation. Noting the absence of any opposition from Luna-Chavez, the court accepted his guilty plea to Count 1 of the indictment.
The one-page order addresses only acceptance of the plea. It does not identify the charged offense, impose a sentence, or resolve any other issue.
Key Takeaways
- The district court accepted Luna-Chavez’s guilty plea to Count 1.
- The plea and Rule 11 allocution were conducted before Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower after Luna-Chavez waived appearance before the district court.
- Luna-Chavez did not oppose the magistrate judge’s recommendation that the plea be accepted.
Why It Matters
The order formally accepts Luna-Chavez’s guilty plea following a magistrate-judge plea proceeding. It illustrates the district court’s adoption of an unopposed recommendation concerning a felony plea, while leaving sentencing and any remaining proceedings for later disposition.