Reported / Citable
Background
The case was referred to the undersigned Magistrate Judge for acceptance of a felony guilty plea pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3). On June 18, 2026, the defendant Isaac Sanchez-Enriquez appeared in open court with counsel before Magistrate Judge Joseph A Cordova. The magistrate informed the defendant of his right to have the plea taken by the district judge and provided the admonitions required under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11.
The Court’s Holding
The Magistrate Judge found that the defendant, with the advice of counsel, voluntarily consented to having his plea accepted by the magistrate rather than the district judge. The court found that the defendant understood the nature of the charges and penalties, understood his constitutional and statutory rights, and freely and voluntarily waived those rights. The defendant pled guilty to Count One of the indictment: illegal reentry into the United States in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326, without any plea agreement.
The magistrate concluded that the defendant is competent to enter the guilty plea and that there is a sufficient factual basis for the plea. Based on these findings, the magistrate recommended that the defendant’s guilty plea be ACCEPTED and that a judgment of guilt be entered. The defendant was found guilty of the charge. Sentencing will be conducted by the presiding United States District Judge Ernest Gonzalez, and the defendant was advised that he may be subject to restitution.
Key Takeaways
- Defendant pled guilty to illegal reentry under 8 U.S.C. § 1326 without a plea agreement
- Magistrate found the plea was voluntary, knowing, and competently entered with full compliance to Rule 11 requirements
- Magistrate recommended acceptance of guilty plea; final judgment and sentencing pending before the district judge
- Parties have 14 days to file objections to the magistrate’s recommendations for de novo review by the district court
Why It Matters
This case involves one of the most commonly prosecuted federal immigration crimes: illegal reentry after deportation or removal. The Western District of Texas, covering the border region, regularly handles such cases. The guilty plea resolves the criminal liability question and moves directly to sentencing, where the defendant faces statutory penalties under § 1326.
The procedural compliance documented here is significant: strict adherence to Rule 11’s requirements for guilty pleas ensures that convictions withstand appellate scrutiny. The defendant’s opportunity to object to the magistrate’s recommendations within 14 days preserves appellate review of any potential constitutional or factual deficiencies.