Reported / Citable
Background
The district court referred Jacob Aaron Roof’s guilty plea to a United States Magistrate Judge for administration under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11. After conducting the Rule 11 hearing, the Magistrate Judge issued findings of fact and a recommendation that the court accept Roof’s plea and adjudge him guilty on Count One of the indictment.
No party objected to the Magistrate Judge’s findings. Count One charged Roof with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846.
The Court’s Holding
District Judge Sean D. Jordan adopted the Magistrate Judge’s Findings of Fact and Recommendation on Guilty Plea. The court accepted Roof’s guilty plea and found him guilty of Count One.
The court deferred acceptance of the plea agreement until it reviews the presentence report. The order therefore resolved guilt on the charged cocaine-conspiracy offense but did not finally accept the parties’ plea agreement.
Key Takeaways
- The court adopted the Magistrate Judge’s Rule 11 plea findings without objection.
- Roof was adjudged guilty of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute under 21 U.S.C. § 846.
- Acceptance of the plea agreement remains deferred pending review of the presentence report.
Why It Matters
The order illustrates the distinction between accepting a defendant’s guilty plea and accepting the associated plea agreement. A district court may adjudge the defendant guilty after a compliant Rule 11 proceeding while reserving judgment on the agreement until sentencing-related information is available.