Reported / Citable
Background
Corina Aviles-Cervantes was charged in Count One of an indictment with illegal reentry into the United States. The case was referred to Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters to take her felony guilty plea.
At an August 4, 2026 hearing, Aviles-Cervantes appeared with counsel, consented to having the magistrate judge take her plea, and pleaded guilty without a plea agreement. Sentencing remains with the presiding district judge.
The Court’s Holding
The magistrate judge found that Aviles-Cervantes understood the charge, potential penalties, and her constitutional and statutory rights; that she knowingly and voluntarily waived those rights; and that she was competent to plead guilty.
The magistrate judge also found a sufficient factual basis for the plea and found Aviles-Cervantes guilty of illegal reentry. He recommended that the district judge accept the guilty plea and enter a judgment of guilt.
Key Takeaways
- The recommendation concerns acceptance of a guilty plea, not sentencing.
- The plea was entered without a plea agreement.
- Parties have 14 days to file written objections to the findings and recommendation.
Why It Matters
The recommendation clears the case for the district judge to decide whether to accept the plea and then impose sentence. Failure to timely object may limit later review of unobjected-to findings and conclusions.