Reported / Citable
Background
Quilter Avenezeth Melendez-Martinez was charged with illegal reentry into the United States. The case was referred to Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters under a general order for the taking of a felony guilty plea.
At a July 7, 2026 hearing, Melendez-Martinez, represented by counsel, consented to having the magistrate judge take his plea. He pleaded guilty without a plea agreement to Count One of the indictment.
The Court’s Holding
The magistrate judge found that Melendez-Martinez understood the charge, potential penalties, and his constitutional and statutory rights; voluntarily waived those rights; and was competent to plead guilty. The court also found that the plea was knowing and voluntary and supported by a sufficient factual basis.
The magistrate judge found Melendez-Martinez guilty of the charged offense and recommended that the district judge accept the guilty plea and enter a judgment of guilt. Sentencing was referred to the presiding district judge.
Key Takeaways
- The defendant pleaded guilty to illegal reentry without a plea agreement.
- The magistrate judge concluded that the Rule 11 plea requirements were satisfied.
- The recommendation remains subject to objections and district-court review.
Why It Matters
The recommendation illustrates the magistrate-judge plea process in a felony case: the magistrate judge conducts the plea colloquy and makes findings, while the district judge retains responsibility for accepting the recommendation and imposing sentence.