Opinion
3:17-cr-00161-SLG-SAO 3:21-cr-00119-SLG-SAO
05-12-2023
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. THOMAS LEE CLEVELAND-MCMICHAEL, Defendant.
FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE UPON A PLEA OF GUILTY
SCOTT A. ORAVEC, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE.
Upon Defendant's request to enter a guilty plea, pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, to the Count of the Indictment, this matter was referred to the Magistrate Judge by the District Court. The Defendant consented to proceeding before the undersigned Magistrate Judge in writing and on the record, with the consent of counsel for the Defendant, and counsel for the United States.
On May 11, 2023, this matter was before the undersigned for a hearing on Defendant's guilty plea, in full compliance with Rule 11, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, in open court and on the record. The Plea Agreement addressed resolution of 3:21-cr-00119-SLG-SAO and 3:17-cr-00161-SLG-SAO. Defendant 1 plead guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment: Felon In Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Defendant also agreed to admit to Violations 1-5 and 8-10 of the Superceding Petition to Revoke Supervised Release (dkt. 85) before the District Judge at combined sentencing / admission / disposition hearing. After imposition of sentence, the government will move to dismiss the Criminal Forfeiture Allegation in the Indictment and Violations 6-7 of the Superceding Petition.
In consideration of yesterday's hearing and the colloquy made by the Defendant under oath, on the record, in the presence of counsel, and the remarks of the Assistant United States Attorney, A. I make the following FINDNGS - that the Defendant understands:
[X] That any false statements made by the Defendant under oath may later be used against him in a prosecution for perjury;
[X] The right to persist in a plea of not-guilty;
[X] The consequences of not being a United States citizen;
[X] The nature of the charges against the Defendant;
[X] The loss of certain federal benefits;
[X] The maximum possible sentence, including imprisonment, fine, supervised release, and any applicable mandatory minimum sentence;
[X] The Court's authority to order restitution;
[X] The mandatory special assessment;
[X] Any applicable forfeiture;
[X] The right to a speedy and public trial by jury;
[X] 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;
[X] The right to: confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, to remain silent, to testify and present evidence, and to compel the attendance of witnesses;
[X] That a plea of guilty operates as a waiver of trial rights;
[X] That the Defendant knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waives all right to appeal or collaterally attack (except on the grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel and the voluntariness of his plea); and
[X] That in determining a sentence, the court's obligation to calculate the applicable sentencing guideline range pursuant to the Sentencing Guidelines promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission and to consider that range, as well as departures under the Sentencing Guidelines, and variances under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).
B. I further FIND that:
1. The Defendant is competent to enter an informed plea;
2. The Defendant is aware of his rights and has had the advice of legal counsel;
3. That the plea of guilty by the Defendant has been knowingly and voluntarily made and is not the result of force, threats, or coercion;
4. Any agreements or promises which induced the plea of guilty are set forth in the written plea agreement or on the record; and
5. That there is a factual basis for the Defendant's plea.
C. I RECOMMEND that the District Court accept the Defendant's plea of guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment: Felon In Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), but that the District Judge delay acceptance of the Defendant's guilty plea until the combined admission/disposition/sentencing hearing, as requested by the Defendant.
D. IT IS ORDERED:
1. That a Presentence Report be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Any objection(s) to the presentence report shall be filed no later than fourteen (14) days after receiving the presentence report (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(f)(1));
Any sentencing memorandum shall be filed no later than seven (7) business days prior to sentencing (D.Ak. L.Cr.R. 32.1(d)).
2. That a Disposition Report be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
A combined admission/disposition/sentencing hearing will be set before United States District Judge Sharon L. Gleason. The court excludes time from March 11, 2023 until the time of sentencing pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3161(h)(1)(G) on the grounds that the District Judge will be considering the proposed plea agreement.
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. The shortened objection deadline is due to the request of the District Court Judge. 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).