Opinion
CRIMINAL ACTION 1:22-CR-61
05-05-2023
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. LAWRENCE BROWN, Defendant.
KLEEH JUDGE
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING PLEA OF GUILTY IN FELONY CASE
MICHAEL JOHN ALOI UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
This matter has been referred to the undersigned Magistrate Judge by the District Judge for purposes of considering the record, the Indictment, and the proposed plea agreement in this matter, conducting a hearing, and entering into the record a written report and recommendation memorializing the disposition of Defendant's guilty plea, pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11. Defendant, Lawrence Brown, in person and by counsel, Kevin Watson, appeared before me on May 5, 2023, for a Plea Hearing to an Indictment. The Government appeared in person and by Assistant United States Attorney, Sarah E. Wagner.
The Court determined that Defendant was prepared to enter a plea of “Guilty” to Count One of the Indictment, that being Conspiracy to Introduce a Prohibited Object (Narcotic).
The Court proceeded with the Rule 11 proceeding by first placing Defendant under oath and inquiring into Defendant's competency. The Court determined Defendant was competent to proceed with the Rule 11 plea hearing and cautioned and examined Defendant under oath concerning all matters mentioned in Rule 11.
The Court next inquired of Defendant concerning his understanding of his right to have an Article III Judge hear the entry of his guilty plea and his understanding of the difference between an Article III Judge and a Magistrate Judge. Defendant thereafter stated in open court that he voluntarily waived his right to have an Article III Judge hear his plea and voluntarily consented to the undersigned Magistrate Judge hearing his plea. Defendant tendered to the Court a written Waiver of Article III Judge and Consent to Enter Guilty Plea before Magistrate Judge. The waiver and consent was signed by Defendant, countersigned by Defendant's counsel, and concurred by the signature of the Assistant United States Attorney.
Upon consideration of the sworn testimony of Defendant, as well as the representations of his counsel and the representations of the Government, the Court finds that the oral and written waiver of an Article III Judge and consent to enter a guilty plea before a Magistrate Judge was freely and voluntarily given. Additionally, the Court finds that the written waiver and consent was freely and voluntarily executed by Defendant Lawrence Brown only after having had his rights fully explained to him and having a full understanding of those rights through consultation with his counsel, as well as through questioning by the Court.
The Court ORDERED the written Waiver and Consent to Enter Guilty Plea before a Magistrate Judge filed and made part of the record. [ECF No. 111].
Thereafter, the Court determined that Defendant's plea was pursuant to a written plea agreement and asked the Government to tender a copy to the Court. The Court asked counsel if the agreement was the sole agreement offered to Defendant. Counsel for the Government stated that it was not. Counsel for the Government explained that two prior agreements had been extended to Defendant, both of which Defendant signed but from which Defendant subsequently withdrew. In the course of that discussion, Defendant stated that, in fact, a third prior agreement had been extended, when Defendant was represented by different counsel; Defendant had rejected that agreement. Ultimately, counsel for the Government explained that the current agreement is most favorable to Defendant, and both Defendant and his counsel agreed. The Court asked counsel for the Government to summarize the written plea agreement. After discussion among the parties' counsel and Defendant himself, the Government agreed to a handwritten addition to Paragraph 4(B) of the plea agreement to clarify the effect of the agreement as to alleged violations of Defendant's supervised release in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Both Defendant and his counsel initialed the clarification to indicate their agreement with the change. Additionally, the Court noted the need to correct two typographical errors in Paragraph 3(B) and Paragraph 5(B), changing the word “she” to “he.” Counsel for the parties and Defendant himself initialed the correction to indicate their agreement. With those discussions and clarifications, counsel for Defendant and Defendant stated on the record that the agreement as summarized by counsel for the Government was correct and complied with their understanding of the agreement.
The undersigned further inquired of Defendant regarding his understanding of the written plea agreement. Defendant stated he understood the terms of the written plea agreement and also stated that it contained the whole of his agreement with the Government and no promises or representations were made to him by the Government other than those terms contained in the written plea agreement. The Court ORDERED the written plea agreement filed and made a part of the record. [ECF No. 112].
The undersigned then reviewed with Defendant Count One of the Indictment and the elements the Government would have to prove, charging him in Count One with Conspiracy to Introduce a Prohibited Object (Narcotic), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Subsequently, Defendant Lawrence Brown pled GUILTY to the charge contained in Count One of the Indictment. However, before accepting Defendant's plea, the undersigned inquired of Defendant's understanding of the charge against him, inquired of Defendant's understanding of the consequences of his pleading guilty to the charge, and obtained the factual basis for Defendant's plea.
The Government proffered a factual basis for the plea. Neither Defendant nor his counsel disputed the proffer when given the opportunity to do so. Defendant stated only that, to the extent which the Government's proffer included identification of others in the conspiracy alleged in Count One, he wished to stand silent on those specific facts. The Government took no issue with Defendant standing silent in that regard, and stated that the necessary elements of the offense were otherwise set forth in the proffer. Additionally, Defendant provided a factual basis for the commission of the offense. The undersigned Magistrate Judge concludes the offense charged in Count One of the Indictment is supported by an independent basis in fact concerning each of the essential elements of such offense, and that independent basis is provided by the Government's proffer.
The undersigned then reviewed with Defendant the statutory penalties applicable to an individual adjudicated guilty of the felony charge contained in Count One of the Indictment and the impact of the sentencing guidelines on sentencing in general. From said review, the undersigned Magistrate Judge determined Defendant understood the nature of the charge pending against him and that the possible statutory maximum sentence which could be imposed upon his conviction or adjudication of guilty on Count One was a period of not more than five (5) years of imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, and a term of three (3) years of supervised release.
Defendant also understood that the Court would impose a total special mandatory assessment of $100.00 for having been convicted of a felony offense. Defendant further understood that his sentence could be increased if he had a prior firearm offense, violent felony conviction, or prior drug conviction. He also understood that he might be required by the Court to pay the costs of his incarceration, supervision, and probation.
The undersigned also inquired of Defendant whether he understood that by pleading guilty, he was forfeiting other rights such as the right to vote, right to serve on a jury, and the right to legally possess a firearm. Additionally, the undersigned asked Defendant whether he understood that if he were not a citizen of the United States, by pleading guilty to a felony charge he would be subject to deportation at the conclusion of any sentence; that he would be denied future entry into the United States; and that he would be denied citizenship if he ever applied for it. Defendant stated that he understood.
The undersigned also reviewed with Defendant his waiver of appellate and collateral attack rights. Defendant understood that under Paragraph 3(A) of the plea agreement, if the Court imposes the sentence recommended in the plea agreement, then the parties waived the right to appeal the sentence, or to appeal any other issue in the matter, on any grounds. Further, Defendant understood that under Paragraph 3(B) of the plea agreement, he was waiving his right to challenge his sentence or the manner in which it was determined by collateral attack, including any proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, if the Court accepts the plea agreement and imposes the recommended sentence. Defendant understood, further, that he was reserving the right to raise claims of ineffective assistance of counsel or prosecutorial misconduct that he learned about after the plea hearing and agreed that he was unaware of any ineffective assistance of counsel or prosecutorial misconduct in his case at this time. From the foregoing, the undersigned determined that Defendant understood his appellate rights and knowingly gave up those rights pursuant to the conditions contained in the written plea agreement.
The undersigned Magistrate Judge further examined Defendant relative to his knowledgeable and voluntary execution of the written plea agreement and determined the entry into said written plea agreement was both knowledgeable and voluntary on the part of Defendant.
The undersigned Magistrate Judge further inquired of Defendant, his counsel, and the Government as to the non-binding recommendations and stipulations contained in the written plea agreement and determined that Defendant understood, with respect to the plea agreement and to Defendant's entry of a plea of guilty to the felony charge contained in Count One of the Indictment. The undersigned Magistrate Judge informed Defendant that he would write the subject Report and Recommendation. The undersigned also discussed with Defendant that the parties waived their right to a full pre-sentence investigation prior to sentencing, but that the handling of any pre-sentence investigation would be as directed by the Presiding District Judge.
The undersigned advised the Defendant that the District Judge would adjudicate the Defendant guilty of the felony charged under Count One of the Indictment. Only after the District Court had an opportunity to review the pre-sentence investigation report (or agree to waiver of the same as the parties agreed in the plea agreement) would the District Court make a determination as to whether to accept or reject any recommendation or stipulation contained within the plea agreement or pre-sentence report. Defendant understood that it was for the District Court to determine whether to accept the parties' agreed recommended sentence (including recommended periods of incarceration) as set forth in Paragraph 2(A)(1) and Paragraph 4(B). The undersigned reiterated to Defendant that the District Judge may not agree with the recommendations or stipulations contained in the written agreement. The undersigned Magistrate Judge further reviewed with Defendant, in accord with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, that in the event the District Judge did not follow the recommendations or stipulations contained in the written plea agreement, then he would be permitted to withdraw his guilty plea. Defendant and his counsel each acknowledged their understanding and Defendant maintained his desire to have his guilty plea accepted.
Defendant also understood that his actual sentence could not be calculated until after a pre-sentence report was prepared (should the District Court ultimately direct one to be prepared) and a sentencing hearing conducted. The undersigned also advised, and Defendant stated that he understood, that the Sentencing Guidelines are no longer mandatory, and that, if the District Judge did not follow the Sentencing Guidelines or sentenced him to a higher sentence than he expected, then he would have a right to withdraw his guilty plea. Defendant further stated that his attorney showed him how the advisory guideline chart worked but did not promise him any specific sentence at the time of sentencing. Defendant stated that he understood his attorney could not predict or promise him what actual sentence he would receive from the sentencing judge at the sentencing hearing. Defendant further understood there was no parole in the federal system, but that he may be able to earn institutional good time, and that good time was not controlled by the Court, but by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Defendant, Lawrence Brown, with the consent of his counsel, Kevin Watson, proceeded to enter a verbal plea of GUILTY to the felony charge in Count One of the Indictment.
Upon consideration of all of the above, the undersigned Magistrate Judge finds that Defendant is fully competent and capable of entering an informed plea; Defendant is aware of and understood his right to have an Article III Judge hear and accept his plea and elected to voluntarily consent to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge hearing his plea; Defendant understood the charge against him, as to Count One of the Indictment; Defendant understood the consequences of his plea of guilty, in particular the maximum statutory penalties to which he would be exposed for Count One; Defendant made a knowing and voluntary plea of guilty to Count One of the Indictment; and Defendant's plea is independently supported by the Government's proffer which provides, beyond a reasonable doubt, proof of each of the essential elements of the charge to which Defendant has pled guilty.
The undersigned Magistrate Judge therefore RECOMMENDS Defendant's plea of guilty to Count One of the Indictment herein be accepted conditioned upon the Court's receipt and review of this Report and Recommendation.
The undersigned Magistrate Judge remanded Defendant to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. [ECF Nos. 8-2, 8-4].
Any party shall have fourteen days from the date of filing this Report and Recommendation within which to file with the Clerk of this Court, specific written objections, identifying the portions of the Report and Recommendation to which objection is made, and the basis of such objection. A copy of such objections should also be submitted to the United States District Judge. Objections shall not exceed ten (10) typewritten pages or twenty (20) handwritten pages, including exhibits, unless accompanied by a motion for leave to exceed the page limitations, consistent with LR PL P 12.
Failure to file written objections as set forth above shall constitute a waiver of de novo review by the District Court and a waiver of appellate review by the Circuit Court of Appeals. Snyder v. Ridenour, 889 F.2d 1363 (4th Cir. 1989); Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); Wright v. Collins, 766 F.2d 841 (4th Cir. 1985); United States v. Schronce, 727 F.2d 91 (4th Cir. 1984).
The Clerk of the Court is directed to send a copy of this Report and Recommendation to counsel of record, as applicable, as provided in the Administrative Procedures for Electronic Case Filing in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.