IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO

EASTERN DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

vs. Case No. 2:11-cr-186

Judge George C. Smith

Magistrate Judge E. A. Preston Deavers

DAYEN MELENDREZ-MURGUIA,

Defendant.

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

The United States of America and Defendant Dayen Melendrez entered into a plea

agreement whereby Defendant agreed to enter a plea of guilty to an Indictment charging her with

conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841 (a)

(1) and 841 (b) (B) (i). On March 12, 2012, Defendant, accompanied by her counsel, appeared

for a hearing to withdraw her previously entered plea of not guilty and to change her plea to guilty. 

Defendant consented, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3), to enter a guilty plea before a Magistrate

Judge. See United States v. Cukaj, 2001 WL 1587410 at *1 (6th Cir. 2001) (Magistrate Judge may

accept a guilty plea with the express consent of the Defendant and where no objection to the report

and recommendation is filed); United States v. Torres, 258 F.3d 791, 796 (8th Cir. 2001); United

States v. Dees, 125 F.3d 261, 263-69 (5th Cir. 1997); United States v. Ciapponi, 77 F.3d 1247,

1251 (10th Cir. 1996). 

During the plea proceeding, the undersigned observed the appearance and responsiveness

of Defendant in answering questions. Based on that observation, the undersigned is satisfied that,

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at the time she entered her guilty plea, Defendant was in full possession of her faculties, was not

suffering from any apparent physical or mental illness, and was not under the influence of

narcotics or alcohol. 

Prior to accepting Defendant’s plea, the undersigned addressed her personally and in open

court and determined her competence to plead. Based on the observations of the undersigned,

Defendant understands the nature and meaning of the charge returned in the Indictment and the

consequences of her plea. Defendant was also addressed personally and in open court and advised

of each of the rights referred to in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. 

Having engaged in the colloquy required by Rule 11, the Court concludes that Defendant’s

plea is voluntary. Defendant acknowledged that the plea agreement signed by her, her attorney

and the attorney for the United States and filed on February 23, 2012, represents the only

promises made to her by anyone regarding the charge in the Indictment. Defendant was advised

that the District Judge may accept or reject the plea agreement and that, even if the Court refuses

to accept any provision of the plea agreement not binding on the Court, Defendant may

nevertheless not withdraw her guilty plea. 

Defendant confirmed the accuracy of the material aspects of the investigating officer's

statement of facts supporting the charge. She confirmed that she is pleading guilty to Count One

of the Indictment because she is in fact guilty of the offense charged in the Indictment. The Court

concludes that there is a factual basis for the plea. 

The Court concludes that Defendant’s plea of guilty to Count One of the Indictment is

knowingly and voluntarily made with the understanding of the nature and meaning of the charge

and of the consequences of her plea. 

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It is therefore RECOMMENDED that Defendant Dayen Melendrez-Murguia's guilty plea

to Count One of the Indictment be accepted. Decision on acceptance or rejection of the plea

agreement was deferred for consideration by the District Judge after the preparation of a

presentence investigation report. 

In accordance with S.D. Ohio Crim. R. 32.1, a written presentence investigation report

will be prepared by the United States Probation Office. Defendant will be asked to provide

information and her attorney may be present if Defendant so wishes. Objections to the presentence

report must be made in accordance with the rules of this Court. 

If any party seeks review by the District Judge of this Report and Recommendation, that

party may, within fourteen (14) days, file and serve on all parties objections to the Report and

Recommendation, specifically designating this Report and Recommendation, and the part thereof

in question, as well as the basis for objection thereto. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); F.R. Civ. P. 72(b). 

Response to objections must be filed within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy

thereof. F.R. Civ. P. 72(b). 

The parties are specifically advised that the failure to object to the Report and

Recommendation will result in a waiver of the right to de novo review by the District Judge and

waiver of the right to appeal the judgment of the District Court. See, e.g., Pfahler v. Nat’l Latex

Prod. Co., 517 F.3d 816, 829 (6th Cir. 2007) (holding that “failure to object to the magistrate

judge’s recommendations constituted a waiver of [the defendant’s] ability to appeal the district

court’s ruling”); United States v. Sullivan, 431 F.3d 976, 984 (6th Cir. 2005) (holding that

defendant waived appeal of district court’s denial of pretrial motion by failing to timely object to

magistrate judge's report and recommendation). Even when timely objections are filed, appellate

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review of issues not raised in those objections is waived. Robert v. Tesson, 507 F.3d 981, 994

(6th Cir. 2007) (“[A] general objection to a magistrate judge’s report, which fails to specify the

issues of contention, does not suffice to preserve an issue for appeal . . . .”) (citation omitted)).

DATE: March 6, 2012 s/ Elizabeth A. Preston Deavers 

ELIZABETH A. PRESTON DEAVERS

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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