Opinion
CASE NO. 1:15-CR-37
06-01-2015
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. EZEQUIEL GARZA-ALCANTAR A/K/A ERIK JAMES COLEGIO
FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDATION ON GUILTY PLEAS BEFORE THE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
By order of the District Court, this matter is referred to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge for administration of the guilty plea under Rule 11. Magistrate judges have the statutory authority to conduct a felony guilty plea proceeding as an "additional duty" pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3). United States v. Bolivar-Munoz, 313 F.3d 253, 255 (5th Cir. 2002).
On May 29, 2015, this case came before the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge for entry of guilty pleas by the Defendant, Ezequiel Garza-Alcantar, to Counts One and Four of the Indictment. Count One alleges that on or about January 5, 2013, in the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere, the Defendant did knowingly make a false statement that he was a citizen or national of the United States, with the intent to engage unlawfully in employment in the United States, in that he completed a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, using a falsely obtained Louisiana Driver's License and a falsely obtained Social Security Number, all in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 1015(e). Count Four alleges that from on or about January 5, 2013 to on or about March 2015, in the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere, the Defendant did knowingly and for the purpose of obtaining a benefit to which he is not entitled or some other purpose and with intent to deceive, falsely represent that a Social Security Account Number, ***-**-2797, had been assigned by the Commissioner of Social Security to him, knowing full well that he was not assigned that number, all in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 408(a)(7)(B).
The Defendant entered pleas of guilty to Counts One and Four of the Indictment into the record at the hearing. After conducting the proceeding in the form and manner prescribed by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, the undersigned finds:
a. That the Defendant, after consultation with his attorney, has knowingly, freely and voluntarily consented to the administration of the guilty plea in this case by a United States Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Texas subject to a final approval and imposition of sentence by the District Court.
b. That the Defendant and the Government have entered into a plea agreement which was disclosed and addressed in open court, entered into the record, and placed under seal. The Defendant verified that he understood the terms of the plea agreement, and acknowledged that it was his signature on the plea agreement. To the extent the plea agreement contains recommendations and requests pursuant to FED. R. CRIM. P. 11 (c)(1)(B), the court advised the Defendant that he has no right to withdraw the plea if the Court does not follow the particular recommendations or requests. To the extent that any or all of the terms of the plea agreement are pursuant to Rule 11(c)(1)(A) or (C), the undersigned advised the Defendant that he will have the opportunity to withdraw his plea of guilty should the Court not follow those particular terms of the plea agreement.
"(3) Judicial Consideration of a Plea Agreement. (A) To the extent the plea agreement is of the type specified in Rule 11(c)(1)(A) or (C), the court may accept the agreement, reject it, or defer a decision until the court has reviewed the presentence report. (B) To the extent the plea agreement is of the type specified in Rule 11(c)(1)(B), the court must advise the defendant that the defendant has no right to withdraw the plea if the court does not follow the recommendation or request. (4) Accepting a Plea Agreement. If the court accepts the plea agreement, it must inform the defendant that to the extent the plea agreement is of the type specified in Rule 11(c)(1)(A) or (C), the agreed disposition will be included in the judgment. (5) Rejecting a Plea Agreement. If the court rejects a plea agreement containing provisions of the type specified in Rule 11(c)(1)(A) or (C), the court must do the following on the record and in open court (or, for good cause, in camera): (A) inform the parties that the court rejects the plea agreement; (B) advise the defendant personally that the court is not required to follow the plea agreement and give the defendant an opportunity to withdraw the plea; and (C) advise the defendant personally that if the plea is not withdrawn, the court may dispose of the case less favorably toward the defendant than the plea agreement contemplated." FED. R. CRIM. P. 11(c)(3)-(5).
c. That the Defendant is fully competent and capable of entering an informed plea, that the Defendant is aware of the nature of the charges and the consequences of the plea, and that the plea of guilty is made freely, knowingly, and voluntarily. Upon addressing the Defendant personally in open court, the undersigned determines that the Defendant's pleas are knowing and voluntary and did not result from force, threats or promises (other than the promises set forth in the plea agreement). See FED. R. CRIM. P. 11(b)(2).
d. That the Defendant's knowing and voluntary pleas are supported by an independent factual basis establishing each of the essential elements of the offenses and the Defendant realizes that his conduct falls within the definition of the crimes charged under 18 U.S.C. §1015(e) (False statement to obtain benefits or employment) and 42 U.S.C. § 408(a)(7)(B) (Use of unauthorized Social Security number).
STATEMENT OF REASONS
As factual support for the Defendant's guilty pleas, the Government presented a factual basis. See Factual Basis and Stipulation. In support, the Government would prove that the Defendant is one and the same person charged in the Indictment and that the events described in the Indictment occurred in the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere. The Government would also have proven, beyond a reasonable doubt, each and every essential element of the offenses as alleged in Counts One and Four of the Indictment through the testimony of witnesses, including expert witnesses, and admissible exhibits. In support of the Defendant's plea, the undersigned incorporates the proffer of evidence described in detail in the factual basis and stipulation, filed in support of the plea agreement.
The Defendant, Ezequiel Garza-Alcantar, agreed with and stipulated to the evidence presented in the factual basis. Counsel for the Defendant and the Government attested to the Defendant's competency and capability to enter an informed plea of guilty. The Defendant agreed with the evidence presented by the Government and personally testified that he was entering his guilty plea knowingly, freely and voluntarily.
RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION
IT IS THEREFORE the recommendation of the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge that the District Court accept the Guilty Pleas of the Defendant, which the undersigned determines to be supported by an independent factual basis establishing each of the essential elements of the offense charged in Counts One and Four of the Indictment. It is also recommended that the District Court defer acceptance of the plea agreement until after review of the presentence report. Accordingly, it is further recommended that Ezequiel Garza-Alcantar be finally adjudged guilty of the charged offenses under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1015(e) and Title 42 U.S.C. § 408(a)(7)(B).
If the plea agreement is rejected and the Defendant still persists in the guilty plea, the disposition of the case may be less favorable to the Defendant than that contemplated by the plea agreement. The Defendant is ordered to report to the United States Probation Department for the preparation of a presentence report. The Defendant has the right to allocute before the District Court before imposition of sentence.
OBJECTIONS
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(c), each party to this action has the right to file objections to this report and recommendation. Objections to this report must: (1) be in writing, (2) specifically identify those findings or recommendations to which the party objects, and (3) be served and filed within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy of this report, and (4) no more than eight (8) pages in length. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(c) (2009); FED. R. CIV. P. 72(b)(2); Local Rule CV-72(c). A party who objects to this report is entitled to a de novo determination by the United States District Judge of those proposed findings and recommendations to which a specific objection is timely made. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) (2009); FED R. CIV. P. 72(b)(3).
A party's failure to file specific, written objections to the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law contained in this report, within fourteen (14) days of being served with a copy of this report, bars that party from: (1) entitlement to de novo review by the United States District Judge of the findings of fact and conclusions of law, see Rodriguez v. Bowen, 857 F.2d 275, 276-77 (5th Cir. 1988), and (2) appellate review, except on grounds of plain error, of any such findings of fact and conclusions of law accepted by the United States District Judge, see Douglass v. United Servs. Auto. Ass'n, 79 F.3d 1415, 1428-29 (5th Cir. 1996) (en banc).
SIGNED this 1st day of June, 2015.
/s/_________
Zack Hawthorn
United States Magistrate Judge