Opinion
21-cr-60073-Middlebrooks/Matthewman
10-04-2022
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. STANLEY RICH, Defendant.
MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION FOLLOWING CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING
WILLIAM MATTHEWMAN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
THIS CAUSE is before the Court upon Order of Reference from the Honorable United States District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, DE 78, and the consent of the parties for a United States Magistrate Judge to conduct the change of plea hearing and accept a guilty plea for Defendant, Stanley Rich (“Defendant”). The Court held a change of plea hearing in open Court on October 4, 2022, which was attended by Defendant, his counsel, Brian Mallonee, Esq., and Assistant United States Attorney Adam McMichael, Esq. (standing in for AUSA Ajay Alexander, Esq.), on behalf of the Government. The Court hereby advises, finds and recommends as follows:
The Court began the plea hearing on October 3, 2022. [DE 81]. However, because Defendant had not yet been found competent to proceed to trial following the Court's October 28, 2021 Order Finding Defendant Incompetent to Proceed to Trial and Commitment Order [DE 68], and because the competency hearing had not been referred to the Undersigned, the Court reset the change of plea hearing date to the next day, October 4, 2022. Thereafter, Judge Middlebrooks referred the case to the Undersigned for a competency hearing. [DE 82]. Consequently, on October 4, 2022, the Court first held a competency hearing-during which the Court found Defendant competent to proceed to trial-before conducting Defendant's change of plea hearing. See DE 84.
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 also advised Defendant that the undersigned U.S. Magistrate Judge was conducting the change of plea hearing and taking
Defendant's plea of guilty by Order of Reference from the U.S. District Judge and as agreed to by Defendant, Defendant's attorney, and the Assistant U.S. Attorney. The Court further advised Defendant that his sentence would be imposed by the presiding U.S. District Judge, who would make all findings 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 consent to the Undersigned conducting this hearing or taking his guilty plea and could require that the change of plea hearing be conducted by the U.S. District Judge. Defendant, Defendant's attorney, and the Assistant U.S. Attorney all agreed on the record and consented to this Court conducting the change of plea hearing and taking Defendant's guilty plea.
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. [DE 85]. This Court reviewed the plea agreement with the Defendant in open Court and had the Defendant acknowledge that he had reviewed and signed the plea agreement. This Court also made certain that Defendant was aware of any 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 Brian Mallonee, Esq., and that he had full opportunity to discuss all facets of his case with his attorney.
6. Defendant knowingly and voluntarily with the advice of competent counsel pled guilty to Count One of the Indictment. Count One charges that Defendant knowingly and
willfully combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others, to possess with the intent to distribute forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(B). [DE 15].
7. The parties filed a Plea Agreement [DE 85] and Factual Proffer [DE 86], made part of the record and both signed by Defendant, defense counsel, and the Government. The Plea Agreement and Factual Proffer, as orally supplemented by the prosecutor at the change of plea hearing, include all of the essential elements of and factual support for the offense to which Defendant pled guilty. Defendant acknowledged that the written proffer and oral proffer were true and correct.
8. 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
FINDS and RECOMMENDS that Defendant, Stanley Rich, (1) be found to have freely, knowingly, and voluntarily entered a guilty plea to Count One 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. Sentencing is currently set for December 15, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. before the Honorable Donald M. Middlebrooks, U.S. District Judge.
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO OBJECT
The parties shall have fourteen (14) days from the date of being served with a copy of this Report and Recommendation within which to file written objections, if any, with U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks. Failure to file objections timely shall bar the parties from a de novo determination by the District Judge of an issue covered in the Report and Recommendation and shall bar the parties from attacking on appeal unobjected-to factual and legal conclusions contained in this Report and Recommendation. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 149 (1985); Henley v. Johnson, 885 F.2d 790, 794 (11th Cir. 1989); 11th Cir. R. 3-1.
DONE AND RECOMMENDED