Reported / Citable
Background
Stephany Aley Cardenas-Becerra appeared with counsel and pleaded guilty to Count One of the indictment under a plea agreement. The count charged transporting aliens, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) and § 1324(a)(1)(B)(ii).
Cardenas-Becerra consented to enter her plea before a magistrate judge, subject to final approval and sentencing by the presiding district judge. The magistrate judge conducted the plea colloquy required by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11.
The Court’s Holding
Magistrate Judge Robert F. Castaneda found that Cardenas-Becerra was competent and that her guilty plea was knowing, voluntary, and supported by a factual basis. The court found that she understood the charge, potential penalties, trial rights, advisory nature of the Sentencing Guidelines, and the plea agreement’s appellate and collateral-review waiver.
The magistrate judge recommended that the district judge accept the guilty plea and enter a judgment of guilt. The report did not itself finally accept the plea or impose sentence.
Key Takeaways
- The magistrate judge recommended acceptance of Cardenas-Becerra’s guilty plea to transporting aliens.
- The recommendation followed a Rule 11 colloquy and findings that the plea was competent, knowing, voluntary, and factually supported.
- Final plea acceptance and sentencing remained with the presiding district judge.
Why It Matters
The report preserves the distinction between a magistrate judge’s plea recommendation and the district judge’s final action. It also confirms that Cardenas-Becerra was advised of the plea agreement’s waiver of appellate and collateral challenges to her eventual sentence.