Reported / Citable
Background
The case was referred by general order to U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters to take the defendant’s felony guilty plea. On August 3, 2026, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Zelaya and counsel appeared before the magistrate judge.
Rodriguez Zelaya consented to having the magistrate judge take his plea. He pleaded guilty, without a plea agreement, to Count One of the indictment: conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Sentencing was reserved for the presiding district judge.
The Court’s Holding
After personally addressing Rodriguez Zelaya and giving the Rule 11 admonishments, the magistrate judge found that he understood the charge, penalties, and rights he was waiving; was competent; and entered his plea freely and voluntarily.
The magistrate judge also found a sufficient factual basis for the plea and found Rodriguez Zelaya guilty of the charge to which he pleaded. The recommendation was that the district court accept the plea and enter a judgment of guilt.
Key Takeaways
- The defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens without a plea agreement.
- The magistrate judge found the plea knowing, voluntary, competent, and supported by a sufficient factual basis.
- The recommendation remained subject to objections and district-court review; sentencing was referred to the presiding district judge.
Why It Matters
The filing is a magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation, not the district court’s final acceptance of the plea or sentence. Parties had 14 days to object; absent timely objections, review of unobjected-to findings on appeal is generally limited to plain error.