Opinion
2:23-cr-00138-DCN
04-17-2024
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. SCOTT THOMAS HIGGINS, Defendant.
ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
DAVID C. NYE, CHIEF U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE.
Before the Court is a Report and Recommendation filed by the United States Magistrate Judge. Dkt. 27. On March 28, 2024, Defendant, Scott Thomas Higgins appeared before the Magistrate Judge to enter a change of plea pursuant to a written plea agreement. The Magistrate Judge conducted the plea hearing and concluded there is a factual basis for Defendant's plea of guilty to the charges contained in Counts One and Two of the Indictment (Dkt. 2), and that it was entered voluntarily and with full knowledge of the consequences. No objections to the Report and Recommendation have been filed.
The Court now has reviewed the record, and find that the requirements of Rule 11 have been met. See United States v. Reyna-Tapia, 328 F.3d 1114 (9th Cir. 2003). Specifically, the Court finds that the Magistrate Judge adhered to the requirements of Rule 11(b); that under Rule 11(b)(2), the Defendant's plea was voluntary and not the result of force or threats or promises apart from the plea agreement; and that a factual basis for the plea exists. See id. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Report and Recommendation (Dkt. 27) shall be, and the same is hereby, ADOPTED as the decision of the District Court and incorporated fully herein by reference.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Defendant's plea of guilty to the crimes charged in Counts One and Two of the Indictment (Dkt. 2), shall be, and the same is hereby, ACCEPTED by the Court as a knowing and voluntary plea supported by an independent basis in fact containing each of the essential elements of the offense.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Defendant, Scott Thomas Higgins is found to be GUILTY as to the applicable crimes charged in the Indictment. Dkt. 2.