Reported / Citable
Background
The case was referred to Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters under a general order for the taking of a felony guilty plea. On July 7, 2026, Mario Arturo Dionicio Ortiz appeared with counsel and was advised that he could have his plea taken by a district judge.
After receiving Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11 admonishments, Ortiz pleaded guilty without a plea agreement to Count One of the indictment, charging illegal reentry into the United States. Sentencing remains for the presiding district judge.
The Court’s Holding
Judge Watters found that Ortiz consented to entering his plea before the magistrate judge; understood the charge, penalties, and his constitutional and statutory rights; and voluntarily waived those rights. The court also found Ortiz competent and determined that a sufficient factual basis supported the plea.
The magistrate judge found Ortiz guilty of the charged offense and recommended that the district court accept the guilty plea and enter a judgment of guilt. The recommendation remains subject to objections and district-court review.
Key Takeaways
- Ortiz pleaded guilty without a plea agreement to illegal reentry.
- The magistrate judge found the Rule 11 plea knowing, voluntary, and supported by a factual basis.
- The magistrate judge recommended acceptance of the plea; sentencing will be conducted by the district judge.
Why It Matters
The ruling is a plea-stage recommendation, not a sentencing decision. It establishes the factual and procedural basis for the district court to accept Ortiz’s plea and proceed to sentencing, subject to any timely objections.