Opinion
Case No. 3:20-cr-00085-TMB -DMS
04-08-2021
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. FORREST NICHOLAS WRIGHT, Defendant.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE UPON A PLEA OF GUILTY
Upon Defendant's request to enter a guilty plea pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to the following contained in the Indictment: Count 1, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; Counts 2-17, Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1343; Count 18, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1956(h) and 1957(a); and Counts 19-34, Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1957(a) and 2, and the defendant's consent to plead before a Magistrate Judge contained in the plea agreement, this matter was referred to the Magistrate Judge by the District Court, with the additional oral consents of Defendant, counsel for Defendant, and counsel for the United States.
Thereafter, the matter came on for a hearing on Defendant's guilty plea, in full compliance with Rule 11, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, before the Magistrate Judge, in open court and on the record.
In consideration of that hearing and the allocution made by the Defendant under oath on the record and in the presence of counsel, and the remarks of the Assistant United States Attorney,
A. I make the following FINDINGS - that the Defendant understands:
1. That any false statements made by the Defendant under oath may later be used against him in a prosecution for perjury;
2. The right to persist in a plea of "not guilty";
3. The nature of the charge(s) against him;
4. The maximum possible sentence, including imprisonment, fine, and the effect of the supervised release term,
5. Any applicable mandatory minimum penalty;
6. The Court's authority to order restitution;
7. The Court's obligation to impose a special assessment;
8. Any applicable forfeiture;
9. The right to a speedy and public trial by jury;
10.The right to be represented by counsel - and if necessary to have the Court appoint counsel- at trial and at every other stage of the proceedings;
11.The right to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, to be protected from compelled self-incrimination, to testify and present evidence, and to compel the attendance of witnesses;
12.The Defendant's waiver of trial rights if the Court accepts a guilty plea or nolo contendere; and
13.That he knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived his right to appeal or collaterally attack his conviction and any sentence imposed if it is within the range permitted by the plea agreement; and
14.That in determining a sentence, the Court's obligation to calculate the applicable sentencing guideline range and to consider that range, possible departures under the Sentencing Guidelines, and other sentencing factors under 18 U.S.C. §3553(a).
B. I further FIND that:
1. The Defendant is competent to enter a plea;
2. That the plea of guilty by the Defendant has been knowingly and voluntarily made and is not the result of force or threats or coercion;
3. Any agreements or promises which induced the plea of guilty are set forth in the written plea agreement or on the record; and
4. That there is a sufficient factual basis for the Defendant's plea.
C. I RECOMMEND that the District Court accept the Defendant's plea of guilty to: Count 1, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; Counts 2-17, Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1343; Count 18, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1956(h) and 1957(a); and Counts 19-34, Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1957(a) and 2, and admission to the Criminal Forfeiture allegation. The defendant has agreed to the restitution amount as described in the Plea Agreement and Doc. 51.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED:
D. A Presentence Report be prepared.
1. Any objection(s) to the presentence report shall be filed no later than fourteen (14) days after receiving the presentence report pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(f)(1);
2. Any sentencing memorandum shall be filed no later than seven (7) business days prior to sentencing pursuant to D.Ak. L.Cr.R. 32.1(d).
The Sentencing hearing will be held before United States District Judge Timothy M. Burgess on July 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in Anchorage Courtroom 3. The Court excludes time from March 31, 2021 until the time of sentencing pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3161(h)(1)(G) on the ground that the District Judge will be considering the proposed plea agreement.
DATED this 8th day of April, 2021, at Anchorage, Alaska.
s/ Deborah M . Smith
DEBORAH M. SMITH
Chief United States Magistrate Judge
This Report and Recommendation is being issued as a Final Report and Recommendation. Pursuant to Fed. R. Crim P. 59(b)(3), any objections will be considered by the District Court Judge who will accept, reject, or modify the recommendation following de novo review. Any objections must be filed within seven (7) days from the date of service of this Report and Recommendation. Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(b)(2) and D.Ak.L.M.R. 6(a) authorizes the Court to alter the standard objection deadlines.
Reports and recommendations are not appealable orders. Any notice of appeal pursuant to Fed. R. App. P. 4(a)(1) should not be filed until entry of the District Court's judgment. See Hilliard v. Kincheloe, 796 F.2d 308 (9th Cir. 1986).