Opinion
2:23-cr-074
09-13-2023
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. YERIKO ALEJO
EDMUND A. SARGUS, JR., JUDGE.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Norah McCann King, United States Magistrate Judge.
Defendant Yeriko Alejo previously pleaded not guilty to an Indictment charging her with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture of substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Count 1) and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (Count 2). Indictment, ECF No. 3. The United States and defendant thereafter entered into a Plea Agreement, ECF No. 35, executed pursuant to the provisions of Rule 11(c)(1)(A) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, whereby defendant agreed to enter a plea of guilty to Count 1. On September 13, 2023, and assisted by her counsel and a Spanish interpreter, defendant personally appeared for a change of plea proceeding.
The Plea Agreement contains an appellate waiver that preserves only certain claims for appeal, collateral challenge, and motion for reduction of sentence. In the Plea Agreement, defendant, a naturalized citizen of the United States, also acknowledged possible immigration consequences of her guilty plea.
Defendant consented, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §636(b)(3), to enter a guilty plea before a Magistrate Judge. See United States v. Cukaj, 25 Fed.Appx. 290, 291 (6th Cir. 2001)(Magistrate Judge may accept a guilty plea with the express consent of the defendant and where no objection to the report and recommendation is filed).
During the plea proceeding, the undersigned observed the appearance and responsiveness of defendant in answering questions. Based on that observation, the undersigned is satisfied that, at the time she entered her guilty plea, defendant was in full possession of her faculties, was not suffering from any apparent physical or mental illness and was not under the influence of narcotics, other drugs, or alcohol.
Prior to accepting defendant's plea, the undersigned addressed defendant personally and in open court and determined her competence to plead. Based on the observations of the undersigned, defendant understands the nature and meaning of the charges in the Indictment and the consequences of her plea of guilty to Count 1. Defendant was also addressed personally and in open court and advised of each of the rights referred to in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Having engaged in the colloquy required by Rule 11, the Court concludes that defendant's plea is voluntary. Defendant acknowledged that the Plea Agreement signed by her, her attorney, and the attorney for the United States and filed on August 25, 2023, represents the only promises made by anyone regarding the charges in the Indictment. Defendant was advised that the District Judge may accept or reject the Plea Agreement and that all sentencing terms will be determined by the District Judge. Defendant was further advised that, even if the District Judge refuses to accept any provision of the Plea Agreement not binding on the Court, or if the sentence imposed is more severe than the sentence that defendant expected, defendant may nevertheless not withdraw her guilty plea.
Defendant confirmed the accuracy of the statement of facts supporting the charge, which is attached to the Plea Agreement. She confirmed that she is pleading guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment because she is in fact guilty of that offense. The Court concludes that there is a factual basis for the plea.
The Court concludes that defendant's plea of guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment is knowingly and voluntarily made with understanding of the nature and meaning of the charges and of the consequences of the plea.
It is therefore RECOMMENDED that defendant's guilty plea to Count 1 of the Indictment be accepted. Decision on acceptance or rejection of the Plea Agreement was deferred for consideration by the District Judge after the preparation of a presentence investigation report.
In accordance with S.D. Ohio Crim. R. 32.1, and as expressly agreed to by defendant through counsel, a written presentence investigation report will be prepared by the United States Probation Office. Defendant will be asked to provide information; defendant's attorney may be present if defendant so wishes. Objections to the presentence report must be made in accordance with the rules of this Court.
If any party seeks review by the District Judge of this Report and Recommendation, that party may, within fourteen (14) days, file and serve on all parties objections to the Report and Recommendation, specifically designating this Report and Recommendation, and the part thereof in question, as well as the basis for objection thereto. 28 U.S.C. §636(b)(1); F.R. Civ. P. 72(b). Response to objections must be filed within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy thereof. F.R. Civ. P. 72(b).
The parties are specifically advised that failure to object to the Report and Recommendation will result in a forfeiture of the right to de novo review by the District Judge and of the right to appeal the decision of the District Court adopting the Report and Recommendation. See United States v. Wandahsega, 924 F.3d 868, 878 (6th Cir. 2019); Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985).