Opinion
08-27-2013
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. AARON S. WALDRUP
Judge Smith
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
The United States of America and defendant Aaron S. Waldrup entered into a Plea Agreement, Doc. No. 11, whereby defendant agreed to enter a plea of guilty to an Information charging him with the knowing receipt of visual depictions of child pornography in interstate commerce in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2), (b)(1). On August 27, 2013, defendant, accompanied by his counsel, appeared for an arraignment. 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, 2001 WL 1587410 at *1 (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]; United States v. Torres, 258 F.3d 791, 796 (8th Cir. 2001); United States v. Dees, 125 F.3d 261, 263-69 (5th Cir. 1997); United States v. Ciapponi, 77 F.3d 1247, 1251 (10th Cir. 1996). Defendant also waived his right to an indictment in open court and after being advised of the nature of the charge and of his rights. See F.R. Crim. P. 7(b).
The Plea Agreement, governed by Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(c)(1)(C), requires a sentence of 60 months, but does not stipulate other terms of sentence, including fine, supervised release or restitution. Under the Plea Agreement, defendant also agrees to the forfeiture alleged in the Information.
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 he entered his guilty plea, defendant was in full possession of his faculties, was not suffering from any apparent physical or mental illness, and was not under the influence of narcotics or alcohol.
Prior to accepting defendant's plea, the undersigned addressed defendant personally and in open court and determined his competence to plead. Based on the observations of the undersigned, defendant understands the nature and meaning of the charge returned in the Information and the consequences of the plea. 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 him, his attorney and the attorney for the United States and filed on August 9, 2013, represents the only promises made by anyone regarding the charge in the Information. Defendant was advised that the District Judge may accept or reject the plea agreement and that, even if the Court refuses to accept any provision of the plea agreement not binding on the Court, defendant may nevertheless not withdraw his guilty plea.
Defendant confirmed the accuracy of the material aspects of the statement of facts supporting the charge. He confirmed that he is pleading guilty to Count One of the Information because he is in fact guilty of the offense charged in the Information. The Court concludes that there is a factual basis for the plea.
The Court concludes that defendant's plea of guilty to Count One of the Information is knowingly and voluntarily made with understanding of the nature and meaning of the charge and of the consequences of the plea.
It is therefore RECOMMENDED that defendant Aaron S. Waldrup's guilty plea to Count One of the Information 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.
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 waiver 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 Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); Smith v. Detroit Federation of Teachers, Local 231 etc., 829 F.2d 1370 (6th Cir. 1987); United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir. 1981).
________
Norah McCann King
United States Magistrate Judge