Opinion
Case No. 1:07-cr-162.
May 12, 2008
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to W.D. MICH. L.CR.R. 11.1, I conducted a plea hearing in the captioned case on May 8, 2008, after receiving the written consent of defendant and all counsel. At the hearing, defendant Wilbur J. Minisee, II entered a plea of guilty to count 1 of the Superseding Indictment charging him with conspiracy to make false statements to influence the Farm Services Agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1014, in exchange for the undertakings made by the government in the written plea agreement. On the basis of the record made at the hearing, I find that defendant is fully capable and competent to enter an informed plea; that the plea is made knowingly and with full understanding of each of the rights waived by defendant; that it is made voluntarily and free from any force, threats, or promises, apart from the promises in the plea agreement; that the defendant understands the nature of the charge and penalties provided by law; and that the plea has a sufficient basis in fact.
I therefore recommend that defendant's plea of guilty to count 1 of the Superseding Indictment be accepted, that the court adjudicate defendant guilty of the charge, and that the written plea agreement be considered for acceptance at the time of sentencing. Acceptance of the plea, adjudication of guilt, acceptance of the plea agreement, and imposition of sentence are specifically reserved for the district judge.
The Clerk is directed to procure a transcript of the plea hearing for review by the District Judge.
NOTICE TO PARTIES
You have the right to de novo review of the foregoing findings by the district judge. Any application for review must be in writing, must specify the portions of the findings or proceedings objected to, and must be filed and served no later than ten days after the plea hearing. See W.D. MICH. L.CR.R. 11.1(d). A failure to file timely objections may result in the waiver of any further right to seek appellate review of the plea-taking procedure. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); Neuman v. Rivers, 125 F.3d 315, 322-23 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 1030 (1997); United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir. 1981).