UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

CASE NO: 22-CR-20326-MOORE

UNITED STATES,

v.

ANDRE LORQUET,

Defendant.

___________________________/

UNITED STATES’ OBJECTIONS TO THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION AND 

RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION TO THE DEFENDANT’S 

MOTION TO WITHDRAW PLEA

The United States of America, by and through the undersigned Assistant United States 

Attorney, hereby files this objection to the U.S. Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation

and Response in Opposition to the Defendant’s Motion to Withdraw Plea (the “Motion to 

Withdraw” or “Motion”) [ECF 55].1 The Defendant moves to withdraw his plea by alleging that 

“he was under duress” and that he “believed that he was signing paperwork related to the 

reinstatement of his bond.” Motion at 1 ¶ 4. These allegations are pretext. In fact, the Defendant 

moves to withdraw his plea because he wishes for better terms, he does not want to be sentenced 

by the Court, and he would rather risk trial. None of these are fair and just reasons for the 

1 As directed by the Court during the status conference on June 12, 2023, the Government requests 

that the Court refer the Motion to the Magistrate Judge to issue a supplemental report and 

recommendation that considers the Government’s response. As the Government explained to the 

Court, the undersigned incorrectly believed that the matter would be scheduled for a hearing after 

the Defendant retained new counsel. The Government did not intend to forgo filing a response to 

the Motion and appreciates the Magistrate Judge’s additional consideration. 

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Defendant to request a withdrawal, nor are they reasons to vacate the Magistrate Judge’s thorough 

and searching plea colloquy. Respectfully, the Motion should be denied.

BACKGROUND

The Defendant stole almost $5 million in COVID-relief funds and spent it on luxury cars

and diamond and gold jewelry [ECF No. 1]. The Defendant had his initial appearance on 

November 8, 2022, and, after retaining private counsel, Zeljka Bozanic, [ECF No. 13], entered his 

bond on December 6, 2022 [ECF No. 19]. The Defendant’s bond was revoked a month later 

because he violated the conditions by applying for a U.S. passport card [ECF No. 40]. 

The Defendant notified the Court he wished to change his plea, and on January 20, 2023, 

the Court scheduled the Defendant for a change of plea hearing before Magistrate Judge Lauren 

F. Louis [ECF No. 42]. On January 24, 2023, the Defendant pled guilty before the Magistrate 

Judge to Counts 7 and 9 of the indictment, which charged the Defendant with money laundering 

and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1957 and 

1028A(a)(1). [ECF No. 44]. The Magistrate Judge recommended that the Court accept the 

Defendant’s plea, finding that the Defendant was “fully competent and capable of entering an 

informed plea” and that the Defendant was “aware of the nature of the charges and the 

consequences of the plea.” [ECF No. 43, at 3]. On February 9, 2023, the Court adopted the 

Magistrate Judge’s recommendation [ECF No. 50]. On March 13, 2023, two weeks after receiving 

the Presentence Investigation Report [ECF No. 53], the Defendant filed the Motion to Withdraw 

[ECF No. 55].

LEGAL STANDARD

A defendant cannot withdraw a plea unless he “can show a fair and just reason for 

requesting the withdrawal.” Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(d)(2)(B). Although this rule “is to be liberally 

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construed,” there “is no absolute right to withdraw a guilty plea prior to imposition of a sentence.” 

United States v. Buckles, 843 F.2d 469, 471–72 (11th Cir. 1988). To determine if the defendant 

has met this burden, the court “may consider the totality of the circumstances surrounding the 

plea.” Id. The factors to be analyzed include “(1) whether close assistance of counsel was 

available; (2) whether the plea was knowing and voluntary; (3) whether judicial resources would 

be conserved, and (4) whether the government would be prejudiced if the defendant were allowed 

to withdraw his plea.” Id. (internal citations omitted). The first two considerations are nearly 

dispositive. See United States v. Wiggins, 666 F. App’x 850, 855 (11th Cir. 2016) (“We have, in 

the past, focused on the first two Buckles factors and minimized the others if these first two have 

been satisfied.”); United States v. Wright, No. 19-13388, 2021 WL 5969544, at *3 (11th Cir. Dec. 

16, 2021) (ruling that because the defendant “had close assistance of counsel and made no showing 

that his guilty plea was unknowing or involuntary, we need not give considerable weight or 

particular attention to the factors of judicial efficiency and prejudice to the government.”). “The 

good faith, credibility, and weight of a defendant’s assertions in support of a motion [to withdraw] 

are issues for the trial court to decide.” Id. A district court does not “abuse[] its discretion if it 

conducted an extensive plea colloquy that conforms with Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal 

Procedure prior to accepting a guilty plea.” United States v. Midkiff, 806 F. App’x 678, 680 (11th 

Cir. 2020).

ARGUMENT

The Defendant alleges that he entered his plea under duress—that is, his plea was 

involuntary—and that he believed that he was signing bond paperwork—that is, his plea was 

unknowing. These allegations are not credible, they are not made in good faith, and they should 

be given little weight. In fact, the Defendant has moved to withdraw his plea because he believes 

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he can receive a lesser sentence if he proceeds to trial. The Defendant’s misguided attempt to 

improve his term of imprisonment is not a fair and just reason to grant the withdrawal. 

I. KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY PLEA

The Defendant knew he was entering a plea and not signing bond paperwork. The 

document the Defendant signed was titled “Plea Agreement” in capital, bold, and underlined 

letters, and Defense Counsel affirmed that she “reviewed the plea agreement with Mr. Lorquet in 

detail.” Motion at 1, ¶ 4. The Magistrate Judge also told the Defendant that the purpose of the 

January 24, 2023, hearing was to change to plea:

THE COURT: I understand you're here today because you would 

like to change your plea in this case from a plea of not guilty to a 

plea of guilty. Under the law you cannot change that plea without 

first getting permission from the Court. I have to determine that your 

decision to plead guilty is a knowing and voluntary decision 

supported by an independent basis in fact, so I'm going to ask you 

some questions to make sure that you understand what's happening, 

you know what your options are, you know what rights you would 

be giving up if you plead guilty, and you know what the possible 

penalties and other consequences will be if you plead guilty. Also in 

federal court you can't plead guilty to something you didn't do, so I 

need to make sure that there are facts to support your guilty plea.

Do you understand that these are the purposes of my questioning?

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma’am.

Ex. 1, Tr. 5:11–6:2 (emphasis added). The Defendant even pled guilty in his own words:

THE COURT: How now do you plead to the charge in Count 7 of 

the indictment, Mr. Lorquet? Guilty or not guilty?

THE DEFENDANT: Guilty, ma’am.

THE COURT: How do you plead to the charge in Count 9 of the 

indictment? Guilty or not guilty?

THE DEFENDANT: Guilty.

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Tr. 29:10–29:15; see also Tr. 11:15–19 (“I’ve received a seven-page document entitled Plea 

Agreement that appears to bear your signature above the line ‘Defendant.’ Did you, in fact, sign 

this plea agreement?” the Magistrate Judge asked. “Yes, ma’am,” the Defendant said.). 

The Defendant also entered his guilty plea voluntarily. The Magistrate Judge asked the 

Defendant if he was under duress, and the Defendant said that he was not: 

THE COURT: Mr. Lorquet, has anyone made any promise or 

assurance to you that’s not in this plea agreement to persuade you to 

accept the plea agreement?

THE DEFENDANT: No, ma’am.

THE COURT: Has anyone threated you in any way?

THE DEFENDANT: No, ma’am.

THE COURT: Are you pleading guilty because you are in fact 

guilty?

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma’am. 

Tr. 21:8–16.

The Defendant’s statements that he understood he was pleading guilty and not under 

duress, made under oath before the Magistrate Judge, are “strongly presume[d] [to be] true.” 

United States v. Ireland, No. 22-11878, 2023 WL 2317833, at *2 (11th Cir. Mar. 2, 2023). This 

strong presumption of truth weighs heavily against the allegations in the Motion. So, too, do the 

Defendant’s statements to his friends and family after the change of plea and before he filed the 

Motion.

After pleading guilty, the Defendant came to believe that he had entered an “open plea.”2 

“The plea I just signed,” the Defendant told his mother in a recorded phone call, the day of the 

2 An “open plea” is a term that refers to entering a plea without the protections of a plea agreement. See, 

e.g., Broderick v. United States, No. 8:14-CR-358-T-27SPF, 2020 WL 1511854, at *4 (M.D. Fla. Mar. 30, 

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plea, “it needs to be withdrawn because it’s an open plea.” Ex. 2, at 01:35.

3

 In the call, the 

Defendant said that an “open plea is when the judge decides what’s my sentence” and a “closed 

plea” means “the prosecutor and the lawyer agreed on something.” Id. The Defendant did not 

mention to his mother either feelings of duress or issues about his bond.

Two days later, on January 26, 2023, the Defendant told his friend that he would rather go 

to trial than be sentenced under the plea agreement. “[I]t’s on the judges, I just found that out,” 

the Defendant said. Ex. 3, at 06:40. “He can go over it or under it. The judge what [sic] gets the 

actual sentence. I rather just take it to court. I rather just take it to trial if that’s the case that the 

judge has the last call on the plea then I’ll take it court. I have a better chance of winning.” Id. 

Again, the Defendant did not mention duress or his bond. 

Despite his claimed ignorance, the Defendant had not “just” learned that about the Court’s 

discretion during sentencing. The plea agreement states this fact on the first and second page: 

[T]he defendant understands and acknowledges that the Court has

the authority to impose any sentence within and up to the statutory . 

. . maximum authorized by law for the offense(s) . . . and that the 

defendant may not withdraw the plea solely as a result of the 

sentence imposed.

[ECF No. 45, at 2, ¶ 3]. The Magistrate Judge also reiterated this fact during the change of plea. 

THE COURT: [B]y pleading guilty, you’re taking the risk that 

Judge Moore will sentence you to the maximum penalty. As we sit 

here today no one knows what your sentence will be, but you do you 

understand that as long as your sentence does not exceed the 

maximum penalty I just described, you won’t be able to take back 

your plea if you’re not happy with the sentence that’s imposed? 

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma’am.

2020) (“A plea that is not entered pursuant to a plea agreement is known as an ‘open plea.’”). The 

Defendant did not enter an open plea.

3 The audio files of the recorded calls will be conventionally filed. Transcribed portions of the relevant 

phone calls are available at Exhibit 8.

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Tr. 15:15–21. The Defendant also knew this fact because he spoke with his attorney about the 

sentencing guidelines. “Did you and your lawyer have a chance to talk about how the sentencing 

guidelines work and how they might apply to your case?” the Magistrate Judge asked. Tr. 15:22–

24. “Yes, ma’am,” the Defendant said. Tr. 15:25.

4 The Defendant even acknowledged to the 

Magistrate Judge that he understood how the Court would determine his sentence:

THE COURT: The sentencing guidelines are only one of several 

factors that Judge Moore must consider in deciding your sentence. 

After considering all of the required factors he may impose a 

sentence within the advisory guideline range, above that range or 

below that range. He may impose a sentence that's greater than what 

you and your lawyer have estimated. What I want to make sure you 

understand is that if Judge Moore gives you a sentence that you are 

not happy with, you will not be allowed to take back of plea. Do you 

understand?

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma’am.

Tr. 17:8–17. In his January 26, 2023, conversation, the Defendant told his friend the real reason 

that he wanted to withdraw his plea: the Defendant was concerned about the sentence the Court 

may impose. “So this man’s life is in my hands,” the Defendant said. Ex. 3, at 06:40. “Is he 

mean?” the Defendant’s friend asked. Id. “Yes,” the Defendant said, “He’s the worst one. They 

call him Max Moore. He gives the maximum to every person. He wants to give people a million 

years before he’s retired.” Id.

In later conversations, the Defendant reiterated his concern about his sentence and still did 

not mention either duress or his bond. On January 29, 2023, the Defendant told his mother that he

had researched the law and wanted to withdraw his plea to get a better sentence. “I’d rather 

withdraw it and I could beat the two charges on there and I’d still get two years,” the Defendant 

4 The Defendant’s privately retained attorney, Ms. Bozanic, is one of only 405 board certified criminal trial 

attorneys in the State of Florida. The Court should not doubt her representation that she reviewed the details 

of the plea agreement with the Defendant, and should not doubt that she advised her client about the process 

of federal sentencing.

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said. Ex. 4, at 02:40. “But she said it doesn’t go that way,” the Defendant’s mother said, referring 

to Defense Counsel. Id. “It still goes by the guidelines, by the First Act. I just read the law book. 

I still get the First Law Act, the first time ever getting in trouble,” the Defendant said. Id. Three 

days later, on February 1, 2023, the Defendant told another friend that, after considering the 

guideline consequences, he may still want to withdraw his plea. See Ex. 5, at 01:40 (“I’m still 

thinking I’m gonna withdraw the plea and take it to trial.”). 

Ten days later, on February 11, 2023, the Defendant spoke to a friend and said he wanted 

to withdraw his plea because another defendant who went to trial had a good result. “I need to 

take it [to trial],” the Defendant said. Ex. 6, at 03:40. “Cause listen, somebody else went through 

the same thing and they gave him less than a year, and he took it trial . . . . If I beat the charges 

that I need to beat, it’s only two years that you have to do.” Id.

The next day, on February 12, 2023, the Defendant spoke to his mother and told her that 

he had further researched the law, Ex. 7, at 05:19 (“You have to look at the book. Look up a book 

called Busted By the Feds”), calculated his guideline sentence under what he believed to be the 

law, id. (“Trump put a thing called the First Time Act. If it’s ever your first time getting in trouble 

you do the less time. He has to go by the guidelines”), and compared his case to another person’s, 

id. (“One year. His name is Blue Smith. He’s a rapper. It was all over the radio news when he got 

out of jail two days ago. He just got out, mom.”). But “you already pled guilty,” the Defendant’s 

mother said to him. Id. “I’ve been playing with—,” the Defendant said, and the call cut out. Id.

The Defendant’s in-court statements affirm that he understood he was entering a guilty 

plea and that he did so freely. In between entering the guilty plea and moving to withdraw it, the 

Defendant researched the law and came to believe that he would rather assume the trial risk than 

be sentenced under the plea agreement. The Defendant’s out-of-court statements to his friends 

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and family show that the allegations in the Motion—that the Defendant was under duress or that 

he believed he was signing bond paperwork—are false. They should not be believed, and they 

should not outweigh the Magistrate Judge’s findings that the Defendant entered his plea knowingly 

and voluntarily. 

II. OTHER BUCKLES CONSIDERATIONS

The other three Buckles factors also weigh against granting the Motion. The Defendant 

had the assistance of privately retained counsel, the Defendant continues to waste judicial 

resources, and proceeding with trial will prejudice the Government. 

First, the Defendant repeatedly affirmed before the Magistrate Judge that he was satisfied 

with his counsel. 

THE COURT: Have you fully discussed th[e] charges and the case 

in general with your attorney?

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma’am.

THE COURT: Have you had enough time to think about this and 

talk about the case with your attorney? 

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma’am.

THE COURT: Did you and your lawyer review the discovery 

materials, that is the evidence the Government says it would use to 

prove the case against you at trial? 

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma’am.

...

THE COURT: Is there anything you’ve asked your lawyer to do but 

she’s failed to do it for you?

THE DEFENDANT: No, ma’am.

THE COURT: Is there anything that you asked her about the case 

but that she hasn’t been able to answer that for you? 

THE DEFENDANT: No, ma’am.

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THE COURT: Are you fully satisfied then with your lawyer and the 

advice and representation she’s given you? 

THE DEFENDANT: .Yes, ma’am.

Tr. 10:7–10:20; 11:6–11:14. Defense Counsel also reviewed the plea agreement with the 

Defendant and answered any questions. 

THE COURT: Before you signed the plea agreement, did you have 

a chance to review each and every paragraph of the plea agreement 

with your lawyer? 

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma’am.

. . . 

THE COURT: [I]f you had questions about what the plea agreement 

means, were you able to ask your lawyer those questions and did she 

answer you? 

THE DEFENDANT: Yes, ma’am. 

Tr. 11:20–23; 12:4–7.

Second, judicial resources should not be expended proceeding to trial where, as here, the 

defendant is not only “attempting to withdraw his guilty plea without any factual or legal basis to 

do so,” but also moving to withdraw his plea “after signing a plea agreement with the 

Government,” after “signing a Stipulated Factual Basis admitting he committed the acts charged,” 

and after “freely and voluntarily pleading guilty in open Court after a thorough Rule 11 inquiry 

conducted by [the] Magistrate Judge.” United States v. Byrne, 09-cr-14059-MOORE (S.D. Fla. 

June 4, 2010); see also United States v. Garcia, 05-CR-20393-MOORE, at 5 (S.D. Fla. Oct. 19, 

2005) (finding that judicial resources should not be expended, as in this case, “in the conduct of a 

trial on issues to which [the Defendant] has already freely admitted”). Indeed, in this case as in 

others before this Court, allowing the Defendant “to withdraw his guilty plea in the hope that he 

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will receive a more lenient sentence only postpones the date on which those judicial resources 

would be expended, as well.” Garcia, 05-CR-20393-MOORE, at 6 (S.D. Fla. Oct. 19, 2005).

Third, the Government will be prejudiced by proceeding to trial. The Defendant previously 

notified the Government he intended to proceed to trial, and the Government prepared. The 

Government filed its notices of intent to introduce evidence [ECF Nos. 23, 26, 28, 29, and 34], 

interviewed witness, served trial subpoenas, and produced its exhibits to the Defendant. After 

reviewing the Government’s evidence and appreciating the strength of the Government’s case, the 

Defendant chose to plead guilty. The Government therefore notified its witnesses that they were 

no longer needed, and the United States Probation Office prepared a Presentence Investigation 

Report [ECF No. 53]. The Defendant now seeks to withdraw his plea agreement and return the 

Government to January 2023. The Government has limited resources to investigate and prosecute 

the vast amount of uncharged COVID-relief fraud in this District, and many of the witnesses such 

as the loan processors have multiple trials to attend to. Moreover, the victim of aggravated identity 

theft in this case–a local accountant whose identity the Defendant and his accomplices used to 

falsify tax documents—has written to Probation and the Government that she would rather forego 

restitution than endure this case. “[A]fter speaking with my attorney and analyzing my loss[,] I 

decline moving forward with restitution,” the victim wrote. Ex. 8, Email from C.D. to D. Valdez, 

US Probation (Feb 28, 2023). “[E]ven though I took a loss, this situation has taught me a valuable 

lesson personally and brought forth protocols that my business lacked. I do appreciate you 

reaching out to me, however this is a chapter I would like to close.” Id.

CONCLUSION

The Defendant’s allegations in the Motion—that he was under duress and believed he was 

signing bond paperwork—are not credible, and the Motion does not set forth a fair and just reason 

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for the Court to grant the withdrawal. Respectfully, the Motion to Withdraw [ECF 55] should be 

denied.

BY: Jonathan Bailyn 

Jonathan R. Bailyn, AUSA

Court ID No. A5502602

500 South Australian Ave, 4th Floor

West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

Phone: (561) 209-1050

jonathan.bailyn@usdoj.gov

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