Reported / Citable
Background
Pedro Antonio Lopez-Fuentes appeared with counsel before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters for a felony guilty-plea proceeding. The matter had been referred under a general order for the taking of the plea.
After receiving Rule 11 admonishments, Lopez-Fuentes consented to having the magistrate judge take his plea. He pleaded guilty, without a plea agreement, to Count One of the indictment, charging illegal reentry into the United States.
The Court’s Holding
Judge Watters found that Lopez-Fuentes understood the charge, potential penalties, and his constitutional and statutory rights; voluntarily waived those rights; was competent to plead guilty; and entered the plea freely and voluntarily.
The magistrate judge also found a sufficient factual basis for the plea and found Lopez-Fuentes guilty of the offense to which he pleaded. The court recommended that the district judge accept the guilty plea and enter a judgment of guilt, with sentencing to be conducted by Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses.
Key Takeaways
- The ruling is a findings-and-recommendation order, not the district judge’s final acceptance of the plea.
- Lopez-Fuentes pleaded guilty without a plea agreement to illegal reentry.
- Parties have 14 days to object; failure to object limits later review as stated in the order.
Why It Matters
The recommendation clears the case for the district judge to determine whether to accept the plea formally and proceed to sentencing. It also preserves the parties’ opportunity to seek de novo review by timely objecting to the magistrate judge’s proposed findings and recommendation.