Opinion
1:20-cr-395-2
08-31-2022
ORDER
HONORABLE SARA LIOI, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
This matter is before the Court upon Magistrate Judge Amanda M. Knapp Report and Recommendation that the Court ACCEPT the plea of guilty of defendant John Panuto and enter a finding of guilty against defendant. (Doc. No. 182.)
On July 23, 2020, the government filed an Indictment against defendant. (Doc. No. 1.) On July 5, 2022, this Court issued an order assigning this case to Magistrate Judge Knapp for the purpose of receiving defendant's guilty plea. (Doc. No. 157.)
On July 19, 2022, a hearing was held in which defendant entered a plea of guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment, charging him with Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 1349. Magistrate Judge Knapp received defendant's guilty plea and issued a Report and Recommendation ("R&R") recommending that this Court accept the plea and enter a finding of guilty. (Doc. No. 182.)
Neither party objected to the Magistrate Judge's R&R in the fourteen days after it was issued.
Upon de novo review of the record, the Magistrate Judge's R&R is ADOPTED. Specifically, the Court finds as follows: that the defendant is competent to enter a plea, that he understands his constitutional rights, that he is aware of the consequences of entering a plea, and that there is an adequate factual basis for the plea. The Court further finds that the plea was entered knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. Accordingly, the defendant's plea of guilty is APPROVED.
Therefore, the defendant is adjudged guilty of Count 1. The sentencing will be held on November 10, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.
IT IS SO ORDERED.