Opinion
21-80114-Cr-Cannon/Reinhart
10-22-2021
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. SANJAY FERGUSON, Defendant.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION FOLLOWING CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING
BRUCE E. REINHART U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE
THIS CAUSE is before the Court upon Order of Reference from U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon and the consent of the parties for a U.S. Magistrate Judge to accept a guilty plea by Defendant Sanjay Ferguson. The Court held a change of plea hearing on October 21, 2021, which was attended by Defendant, his counsel Zeljka Bozanic, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lothrop Morris. Mr. Ferguson consented to appear by video. The Court also made a finding that the plea hearing could not be further delayed without serious harm to the interests of justice, so video teleconferencing was appropriate given the consent of the defendant after consultation with counsel. The Court hereby advises as follows:
1. The Court advised Defendant of his right to have the hearing conducted by the presiding U.S. District Judge assigned to the case. The Court further advised Defendant that a U.S. Magistrate Judge was conducting the change of plea hearing by Order of Reference from the U.S. District Judge and as agreed to by Defendant, Defendant’s attorney, and Assistant United States Attorney assigned to this case. The Court further advised Defendant that his sentence would be imposed by the presiding U.S. District Judge, who would make all findings 1 and rulings regarding such sentence and would conduct a sentencing hearing at a time set by the U.S. District Judge.
2. The Court advised Defendant that he did not have to permit the undersigned to conduct this hearing and could require that the change of plea hearing be conducted by the U.S. District Judge. Defendant, Defendant’s attorney, and Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the case all agreed on the record and consented to this Court conducting the change of plea hearing.
3. The Court then conducted a plea colloquy in accordance with the outline set forth in the Bench Book for U.S. District Judges and in conformity with the requirements of Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11.
4. A written plea agreement has been entered into by the parties in this case. This Court reviewed the plea agreement and Defense counsel advised the Court she signed the plea agreement in place of the defendant. Defendant advised the Court he gave permission to Ms. Bozanic to sign for him on the plea agreement. This Court also made certain that Defendant was aware of any minimum mandatory sentences and maximum sentences which could be imposed in this case pursuant to the plea agreement, sentencing guidelines, and applicable statutes.
5. Defendant acknowledged that he was fully satisfied with the services of his attorney and that he had full opportunity to discuss all facets of his case with his attorney, which he acknowledged that he understood.
6. Defendant pled guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment. Count 1 of the Indictment charges the defendant with smuggling for the purpose of financial gain, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Sections 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii). 2
7. The Court reviewed the appeal waiver with the Defendant and found that the Defendant knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered a waiver of his appellate rights. The Court also found that the Defendant knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waived any 8thAmendment claim and that the forfeiture of his assets would be an excessive fine.
8. The parties submitted a Stipulated Factual Proffer Supporting the Guilty Plea, made part of the record and signed by Defendant (defense counsel signed for the defendant), his counsel, and the Government. This factual proffer includes all of the essential elements of the offenses to which Defendant pled guilty. The Government orally summarized the factual basis for the plea on the record, including the essential elements of each offense. Defendant acknowledged that all the statements contained therein are true.
9. Defendant has been referred to the U.S. Probation Office for the preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report.
Accordingly, based upon the foregoing and the plea colloquy conducted by this Court, the undersigned
RECOMMENDS that Defendant, SANJAY FERGUSON. (1) be found to have freely, knowingly, and voluntarily entered a guilty plea to Count 1 of the Indictment, (2) that his guilty plea be accepted, (3) that he be adjudicated guilty of the offense, and (4) that a sentencing hearing as scheduled by the U.S. District Judge be conducted for a final disposition of this matter.
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO OBJECT
The parties shall have fourteen (14) days from the date of this Report and Recommendation within which to file any written objections with U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon. Failure to file timely objections may bar the parties from attacking the factual 3 findings contained herein on appeal. See Resolution Tr. Corp. v. Hallmark Builders. Inc., 996 F.2d 1144, 1149 (11th Cir. 1993). Further, “failure to object in accordance with the provisions of [28 U.S.C.] § 636(b)(1) waives the right to challenge on appeal the district court’s order based on unobjected-to factual and legal conclusions.” See 11th Cir. R. 3-1 (I.O.P.-3).
If counsel does not intend to file objections, they shall file a notice advising the District Court within FIVE DAYS of this Report and Recommendation.
DONE AND RECOMMENDED 4