Opinion
1:20 CR 258-005
09-21-2021
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff v. SUTURA BERTRAM, Defendant
ORDER ACCEPTING PLEA AGREEMENT, JUDGMENT AND REFERRAL TO U.S. PROBATION OFFICE
SOLOMON OLIVER, JR., JUDGE.
This case is before the Court on a Report and Recommendation filed by United States Magistrate Judge Thomas M. Parker, regarding the change of plea hearing of Sutura Bertram, which was referred to the Magistrate Judge with the consent of the parties.
On May 20, 2020, the government filed a 39 count Indictment, charging Defendant Bertram in count 1 with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 846, and in counts 25 and 31 with Use of a Communication Facility to Facilitate a Felon Drug Offense, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 843(b). Defendant was arraigned on June 8, 2020, and entered a plea of not guilty to counts 1, 25, and 31 of the Indictment before Magistrate Judge Baughman. On August 30, 2021, Magistrate Judge Parker received Defendant Bertram's plea of guilty to count 1 of the Indictment, and issued a Report and Recommendation (“R&R”), concerning whether the plea should be accepted and a finding of guilty entered.
Neither party submitted objections to the Magistrate Judge's R&R in the fourteen days after it was issued.
On de novo review of the record, the Magistrate Judge's R&R is adopted. Defendant Bertram is found to be competent to enter a plea and to understand her constitutional rights. She is aware of the charges and of the consequences of entering a plea. There is an adequate factual basis for the plea. The court finds the plea was entered knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. The plea agreement is approved.
Therefore, Defendant Sutura Bertram is adjudged guilty to count 1 of the Indictment, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 846. This matter was referred to the U.S. Probation Department for the completion of a pre-sentence investigation and report. Sentencing will be held on December 17, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 17A, Carl B. Stokes United States Court House, 801 West Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.
IT IS SO ORDERED.