Source: https://casetext.com/case/united-states-v-afana
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 12:34:16+00:00

Document:
The United States of America and defendant Kristian George Afana entered into a plea agreement whereby defendant agreed to enter a plea of guilty to Count 1 of the Information, which charges him with conspiracy to make false statement in connection with United States passport applications in violation of 18 U.S.C. §371, and to Count 2 of the Information, which charges him with aiding and abetting the making of a false statement on a United States passport application in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1542, 2. On September 13, 2016, defendant, accompanied by his counsel, appeared for a guilty plea proceeding. 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 charges 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 pleas, defendant was in full possession of his 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 pleas, the undersigned addressed defendant 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 charges returned in the Information and the consequences of the pleas to Counts 1 and 2 of the Information. 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 pleas are voluntary. Defendant acknowledged that the plea agreement signed by him, his attorney and the attorney for the United States and filed on August 31, 2016, represents the only promises made by anyone regarding the charges 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 pleas.
Defendant confirmed the accuracy of the material aspects of the statement of facts supporting the charges. He confirmed that he is pleading guilty to Counts 1 and 2 of the Information because he is in fact guilty of the offenses charged in Counts 1 and 2 of the Information. The Court concludes that there is a factual basis for the plea.
The Court concludes that defendant's pleas of guilty to Counts 1 and 2 of the Information are knowingly and voluntarily made with understanding of the nature and meaning of the charges and of the consequences of the pleas.
It is therefore RECOMMENDED that defendant's guilty pleas to Counts 1 and 2 of the Information 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.

References: §371
 §636
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