IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO

EASTERN DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

vs. Case No. 2:13-CR-111

Judge George C. Smith

Magistrate Judge Elizabeth P. Deavers

STEVE RODGERS,

Defendant.

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

The United States of America and Defendant Steve Rodgers entered into a plea agreement

whereby Defendant agreed to enter a plea of guilty to an Information charging him with conspiracy

to possess with intent to distribute over 50 kilograms of marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. §

841(a)(1). On May 20, 2013, Defendant, accompanied by his counsel, appeared for an arraignment. 

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). Defendant also waived his right to an Indictment in open court and after being

advised of the nature of the charge and of his rights. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 7(b). 

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,

at the time he entered his guilty plea, Defendant was in full possession of his faculties, was not

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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 him personally and in open

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

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

consequences of his 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 him, his attorney and

the attorney for the United States and filed on May 7, 2013 represents the only promises made to

him by anyone regarding the charge in the Information. 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

his guilty plea. Defendant confirmed the accuracy of the material aspects of the statement of facts

supporting the charge. He confirmed that he is pleading guilty to Count One of the Information

because he is in fact guilty of the offense charged in the Information. 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 Information is

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

of the consequences of his plea. 

It is therefore RECOMMENDED that Defendant Steve Rodger’s guilty plea to Count One

of the Information be accepted. Decision on acceptance or rejection of the plea agreement was

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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 his 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); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b). 

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

thereof. Fed. 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 review of issues not

raised in those objections is waived. Robert v. Tesson, 507 F.3d 981, 994 (6th Cir. 2007) (“[A]

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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: May 21, 2013 s/ Elizabeth A. Preston Deavers 

ELIZABETH A. PRESTON DEAVERS

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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