Opinion
4:21 CR 566
11-17-2021
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff v. EARL WATSON, III, Defendant
ORDER ACCEPTING PLEA AGREEMENT, JUDGMENT AND REFERRAL TO U.S. PROBATION OFFICE
SOLOMON OLIVER, JR. UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE.
This case is before the Court on a Report and Recommendation filed by United States Magistrate Judge William H. Baughman, Jr., regarding the change of plea hearing of Earl Watson, III, which was referred to the Magistrate Judge with the consent of the parties.
On August 11, 2021, the government filed a 1 count Indictment, charging Defendant Watson with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Defendant was arraigned on August 26, 2021, and entered a plea of not guilty to count 1 the Indictment, before Magistrate Judge Baughman. On October 28, 2021, Magistrate Judge Baughman received Defendant Watson's plea of guilty to count 1 of the Indictment, with a written plea agreement, and issued a Report and Recommendation (“R&R”), concerning whether the plea should be accepted and a finding of guilty entered.
Neither party submitted objections to the Magistrate Judge's R&R in the fourteen days after it was issued.
On de novo review of the record, the Magistrate Judge's R&R is adopted. Defendant Watson is found to be competent to enter a plea and to understand his constitutional rights. He is aware of the charges and of the consequences of entering a plea. There is an adequate factual basis for the plea. The court finds the plea was entered knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. The plea agreement is approved.
Therefore, Defendant Earl Watson, III is adjudged guilty to count 1 of the Indictment, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). This matter was referred to the U.S. Probation Department for the completion of a pre-sentence investigation and report. Sentencing will be held on February 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 17A, Carl B. Stokes United States Court House, 801 West Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.
IT IS SO ORDERED.