Reported / Citable
Background
The case was referred to Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Cordova under a general order for the taking of a felony guilty plea. On August 25, 2026, Mario Alberto Lopez-Garcia appeared with counsel for a plea hearing.
After advising Lopez-Garcia of his right to have the district judge take the plea and conducting the required Rule 11 admonishments, the magistrate judge found that Lopez-Garcia understood the charge, penalties, and his rights. Lopez-Garcia pleaded guilty without a plea agreement to Count One, illegal reentry under 8 U.S.C. § 1326.
The Court’s Holding
The magistrate judge found that Lopez-Garcia knowingly, freely, and voluntarily entered his guilty plea; was competent to do so; and that a sufficient factual basis supported the plea. The magistrate judge also found him guilty of the charged offense and noted that he may be subject to restitution.
Because this was a findings-and-recommendation proceeding, the magistrate judge recommended that the district judge accept the guilty plea and enter a judgment of guilt. The matter was referred to the presiding district judge for sentencing, and the parties were advised of their opportunity to object within 14 days.
Key Takeaways
- Lopez-Garcia pleaded guilty to illegal reentry without a plea agreement.
- The magistrate judge concluded that the plea satisfied Rule 11 and had an adequate factual basis.
- The recommendation did not itself impose sentence; sentencing remains with the district judge.
Why It Matters
The opinion reflects the magistrate-judge plea process in a federal felony case: the magistrate judge conducts the plea colloquy and recommends acceptance, while the district judge retains responsibility for accepting the recommendation and sentencing.