Opinion
1:24-cr-00099-BLW-4
10-24-2024
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. JAMES SMITH Defendant.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
DEBORA K GRASHAM U.S, MAGISTRATE JUDGE
On October 24, 2024, Defendant JAMES SMITH appeared before the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge to enter a change of plea pursuant to a written plea agreement. (Dkt. 153). The Defendant executed a waiver of the right to have the presiding United States District Judge take his change of plea. Thereafter, the Court explained to the Defendant the nature of the charges contained in the Indictment (Dkt. 2), the maximum penalties applicable, his Constitutional rights, the impact that the Sentencing Guidelines will have, and that the District Judge will not be bound by the agreement of the parties as to the penalty to be imposed.
Having conducted the change of plea hearing and having inquired of the Defendant, defense counsel, and counsel for the government, the Court finds there is a factual basis for the Defendant's guilty plea, that it was entered it voluntarily and with full knowledge of the consequences, and that the plea should be accepted. The undersigned also ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be conducted and a report prepared by the United States Probation Office.
RECOMMENDATION
NOW THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED
1) The District Court accept Defendant JAMES SMITH'S plea of guilty to Count FIVE of the Indictment (Dkt. 2).
2) The District Court order forfeiture consistent with Defendant JAMES SMITH'S admission to the Criminal Forfeiture allegation in the Indictment (Dkt. 2) and the Plea Agreement (Dkt. 153).
3) The District Court GRANT, at the appropriate time, the United States' motion to dismiss Count ONE of the Indictment (Dkt. 2) as to Defendant JAMES SMITH.
4) The District Court detain Defendant JAMES SMITH pending sentencing.
Written objections to this Report and Recommendation must be filed within fourteen (14) days pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Local Rule 72.1(b), or as a result of failing to do so, that party may waive the right to raise factual and/or legal objections to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.