Opinion
1:21-CR-00019-TH
07-29-2021
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. LOU ARRINGTON WELCH
FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDATION ON GUILTY PLEA BEFORE THE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Zack Hawthorn United States Magistrate Judge
By order of the District Court, this matter is referred to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge for administration of the guilty plea under Rule 11. Magistrate judges have the statutory authority to conduct a felony guilty plea proceeding as an “additional duty” pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3). United States v. Bolivar-Munoz, 313 F.3d 253, 255 (5th Cir. 2002).
On July 28, 2021, this case came before the undersigned magistrate judge for entry of a guilty plea by the Defendant, Lou Arrington Welch, to Count One of the Indictment. Count One alleges that on or about December 29, 2020, in the Eastern District of Texas, Lou Arrington Welch, the Defendant, did knowingly and unlawfully possess in and affecting interstate or foreign commerce, a firearm, to wit: a Ruger model SR9, 9mm semi-automatic pistol bearing serial number 33020100, while knowing that he had been convicted of a crime or crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, to wit: delivery of a controlled substance, in the Criminal District Court, in Jefferson County Texas, in cause number 10-08604, on May 6, 2010; possession of a controlled substance, in the Criminal District Court, in Jefferson County Texas, in cause number 09-07331, on May 7, 2010; and Transportation of an Undocumented Alien, in the United States District Court in the Southern District of Texas, in case number 2Ll3-CR-411-001, on October 10, 2013, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) -Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
The Defendant entered a plea of guilty to Count One of the Indictment into the record at the hearing. After conducting the proceeding in the form and manner prescribed by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, the undersigned finds:
a. That the Defendant, after consultation with his attorney, has knowingly, freely and voluntarily consented to the administration of the guilty plea in this case by a United States Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Texas, subject to a final approval and imposition of sentence by the District Court.
b. That the Defendant is fully competent and capable of entering an informed plea, that the Defendant is aware of the nature of the charges and the consequences of the plea, and that the plea of guilty is made freely, knowingly, and voluntarily. Upon addressing the Defendant personally in open court, the undersigned determines that the Defendant's plea is knowing and voluntary and did not result from force, threats or promises. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(b)(2).
c. That the Defendant's knowing and voluntary plea is supported by an independent factual basis establishing each of the essential elements of the offense as proffered by the Government, and the Defendant realizes that his conduct falls within the definition of the crime charged under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) - Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
STATEMENT OF REASONS
As factual support for the Defendant's guilty plea, the Government proffered a factual basis. In support, the Government would prove that the Defendant is the same person charged in the Indictment, and that the events described in the Indictment occurred in the Eastern District of Texas. The Government would also have proven, beyond a reasonable doubt, each and every essential element of the offense as alleged in Count One of the Indictment through the testimony of witnesses, including expert witnesses, and admissible exhibits. In support of the Defendant's plea, the undersigned incorporates the proffer of evidence given by the Government during open court, and the Defendant's admissions made in open court.
Counsel for the Defendant and the Government attested to the Defendant's competency and capability to enter an informed plea of guilty. The Defendant personally testified that he was entering the guilty plea knowingly, freely and voluntarily.
RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION
IT IS THEREFORE the recommendation of the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge that the District Court accept the Guilty Plea of the Defendant, which the undersigned determines to be supported by an independent factual basis establishing each of the essential elements of the offense charged in Count One of the Indictment. Accordingly, it is further recommended that the District Court finally adjudge the Defendant, Lou Arrington Welch, guilty of the charged offense under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) - Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
OBJECTIONS
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C), each party to this action has the right to file objections to this Report and Recommendation. Objections to this Report must (1) be in writing, (2) specifically identify those findings or recommendations to which the party objects, (3) be served and filed within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy of this Report, and (4) be no more than eight (8) pages in length. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C); Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(b)(2); E.D. Tex. Crim. R. CR-59(b). A party who objects to this Report is entitled to a de novo determination by the United States District Judge of those proposed findings and recommendations to which a specific objection is timely made. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C); Fed. R. Crim. P. 59(b)(3).
A party's failure to file specific, written objections to the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law contained in this report, within fourteen (14) days of being served with a copy of this report, bars that party from: (1) entitlement to de novo review by the United States District Judge of the findings of fact and conclusions of law, see Rodriguez v. Bowen, 857 F.2d 275, 276-77 (5th Cir. 1988), and (2) appellate review, except on grounds of plain error, of any such findings of fact and conclusions of law accepted by the United States District Judge, see Douglass v. United Servs. Auto. Ass'n, 79 F.3d 1415, 1428-29 (5th Cir. 1996) (en banc).