Opinion
CR-16-27-M-DLC
11-16-2016
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. MATTHEW BROWNE, Defendant.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING PLEA
The Defendant, by consent, has appeared before me under Fed. R. Crim. P. 11 and has entered a plea of guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Count II), as set forth in the Indictment. In exchange for Defendant's plea, the United States has agreed to dismiss Counts I and III of the Indictment.
After examining the Defendant under oath, I have made the following determinations:
1. That the Defendant is fully competent and capable of entering an informed and voluntary plea,
2. That the Defendant is aware of the nature of the charge against him and consequences of pleading guilty to the charge,
3. That the Defendant fully understands his constitutional rights, and the extent to which he is waiving those rights by pleading guilty, and
4. That the plea of guilty is a knowing and voluntary plea, supported by an independent basis in fact sufficient to prove each of the essential elements of the offense charged.
The Court further concludes that the Defendant had adequate time to review the Plea Agreement with counsel, that he fully understands each and every provision of the agreement and that all of the statements in the Plea Agreement are true. Therefore, I recommend that the Defendant be adjudged guilty of Count II of the Indictment, and that sentence be imposed. I further recommend that Counts I and III of the Indictment be dismissed.
This report is forwarded with the recommendation that the Court defer a decision regarding acceptance until the Court has reviewed the Plea Agreement and the presentence report.
DATED this 16th day of November, 2016.
/s/_________
Jeremiah C. Lynch
United States Magistrate Judge