Opinion
CRIMINAL 3:23CR127
03-12-2024
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. GERMAINE EDWARD CAMPBELL, JR., Defendant
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE
MARK R. COLOMBELL UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
This matter is before the Court pursuant to Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and (b)(3) upon the Defendant's request to enter a conditional plea of guilty to Count ONE (1) of the Indictment, felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 11 and a written plea agreement that has been entered into by the United States and the Defendant. The matter was presented to the Court upon the written consent of the Defendant and counsel for the Defendant to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge, said consent including the Defendant's understanding that he consented not only to having the Magistrate Judge conduct the hearing, but also to having the Magistrate Judge make necessary findings and accept any guilty plea as may be entered that could not be withdrawn except for a fair and just reason.
The Defendant entered a conditional guilty plea to Count ONE (1) of the Indictment, felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), in open court and pursuant to a Rule 11 inquiry. As part of his plea agreement, the Defendant sought to preserve his ability to appeal the Court's Order dated February 15, 2024, (ECF No. 25), denying his Motion to Dismiss the Indictment based on New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, 142 S.Ct. 2111 (2022). The Government has agreed to the Defendant's preservation of his right to appeal the denial of this motion. The undersigned finds the resolution of this motion to be case-dispositive and, therefore, appropriate for a conditional guilty plea as to Count ONE (1) under the Fourth Circuit's mandates in United States v. Bundy, 392 F.3d 641, 647-48 (4th Cir. 2004).
Upon consideration of the responses and statements made by the Defendant under oath, on the record, and based upon the written plea agreement and statement of facts presented, the Court makes the following findings:
1. That the Defendant is competent to enter a plea of guilty;
2. That the Defendant understands the nature of the charge against him to which his plea is offered;
3. That the Defendant understands what the maximum possible penalties are upon conviction of the offense charged, including any mandatory minimum periods of confinement, the effect of any required term of supervised release, the loss of various civil rights (if applicable, including the right to vote, the right to hold public office, the right to own and possess a firearm), the possibility of adverse immigration consequences (if applicable), the required imposition of a special assessment, forfeiture of real and/or personal property (if applicable), and restitution (if applicable);
4. That the sentencing court has jurisdiction and authority to impose any sentence within the statutory maximums provided; can reject the parties' stipulations as to drug quantity and/or any sentencing factors; will determine the defendant's actual sentence in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a); and, after considering the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), may impose a sentence above or below the advisory sentencing range, subject only to review by higher courts for reasonableness;
5. That the Defendant understands his right to persist in a plea of not guilty and require that the matter proceed to trial with all the rights and privileges attending a trial, including, but not limited to: the right to effective assistance of counsel; the right to use the power and processes of the Court to compel evidence on the Defendant's behalf; the right to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses; the right to present relevant evidence; the right to remain silent; and, the right to trial by jury;
6. That the Defendant understands all provisions of the written plea agreement which was reviewed in essential part with the Defendant during the proceeding;
7. That the plea of guilty entered by the Defendant was knowingly and voluntarily entered and is not the result of force or intimidation of any kind; nor is it the result of any promises other than the representations set forth in the plea agreement;
8. That the plea of guilty entered by the Defendant was knowingly and voluntarily made with full knowledge of the consequences and with an independent basis in fact to support said plea); and
9. That a conditional guilty plea as to Count ONE (1) of the Indictment, felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), would be appropriate, because the denial of the Defendant's motion to dismiss was case-dispositive.
Accordingly the court accepted the defendant;s conditional guilty plea to count one (1) of the Indictment, felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). It is therefore the recommendation of the Court that its findings, including the acceptance of the Defendant's conditional plea of guilty as to Count ONE (1) of the Indictment, be adopted and the resulting judgment of guilt on the subject charge be entered.
NOTICE
The Defendant is advised that he/she may file specific written objection to this report and recommendation with the Court within fourteen (14) days of this date. If objection is noted, the party objecting must promptly arrange for the transcription of the relevant record and file it forthwith with the Court for its use in any review. Failure to object in accordance with this notice, including the requirement for preparation of a transcription of the relevant portions of the record, will constitute a waiver of any right to de novo review of the matter and may result in adoption of the recommendation, including the finding of guilt as entered by the magistrate judge.