UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA

SOUTH BEND DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA )

)

v. ) CAUSE NO. 3:12cr00001 RLM

)

BRANDON A. BIRCHMEIER )

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION

OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

UPON A PLEA OF GUILTY

On February 22, 2012, the Honorable Robert L. Miller, Jr., District Judge, referred this

case to the undersigned to make findings as to whether the defendant (1) is competent to enter a

plea; (2) knowingly and voluntarily wishes to enter a plea to the charge(s); (3) understands the

charge(s); (4) whether there exists a factual basis for the charge(s); and a recommendation as to

whether a plea of guilty should be accepted by the United States District Court Judge. On

March 14, 2012, a hearing was held on the defendant’s request to enter a plea of guilty. 

Appearing for the United States was Assistant United States Donald J. Schmid. Appearing for the

defendant was H. Jay Stevens; the defendant was personally present. With the written consent of

defendant, his counsel and the counsel for the United States, the undersigned proceeded to

conduct the hearing.

In consideration of that hearing and the statements made by the defendant under oath on

the record and in the presence of counsel, the remarks of the Assistant United States Attorney and

of counsel for defendant,

I FIND as follows:

(1) that defendant is competent to plead guilty;

 (2) that the defendant understands that his answers may later be used against him in a
prosecution for perjury or false statement;

(3) that defendant understands the nature of the charge against him to which the plea is

offered;

(4) that the defendant understands the charge and what the maximum possible sentence is, 

including the effect of the supervised release term, and defendant understands that the sentencing

guidelines apply and that the Court may depart from those guidelines under some circumstances;

(5) that the defendant understands his right to trial by jury, to persist in his plea of not

guilty, to the assistance of counsel at trial, to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and

his right against compelled self-incrimination; to appeal his conviction, if convicted, and that the

defendant has knowingly and voluntarily waived those rights, and wishes to plead guilty.

(6) that the plea of guilty by the defendant has been knowingly and voluntarily made and

is not the result of force or threats or of promises apart from the plea agreement between the

parties; and,

(7) that there is a factual basis for the defendant’s plea.

In light of those findings, I now recommend that; (1) the Court accept the defendant’s

plea of guilty (2) that the defendant be adjudged guilty of Count 1 of the Indictment, in violation

of Title 18, U.S.C. §922(g)(1) have sentence imposed. A Presentence Report has been ordered. 

Should this Report and Recommendation be accepted and the Defendant adjudged guilty,

sentencing has been scheduled for June 19, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. (EDT), before Judge Robert L.

Miller, Jr. Sentencing memorandum and any motions shall be filed no later than June 12, 2012. 

Objections to the Findings and Recommendation are waived unless filed and served within

fourteen (14) days. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B).

DATED: March 14, 2012

S/Christopher A. Nuechterlein

Christopher A. Nuechterlein

United States Magistrate Judge

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