Source: http://tx.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180308_0000918.ETX.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 14:52:47+00:00

Document:
Zack Hawthorn United States Magistrate Judge.
By order of the District Court, this matter is referred to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge for administration of the guilty plea under Rule 11. Magistrate judges have the statutory authority to conduct a felony guilty plea proceeding as an “additional duty” pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3). United States v. Bolivar-Munoz, 313 F.3d 253, 255 (5th Cir. 2002).
On March 7, 2018, this case came before the undersigned magistrate judge for entry of a guilty plea by the Defendant, Eric Darnell Mcilwain, to Count One of the Information. Count One alleges that from on or about 2014, the exact date being unknown, and continuing thereafter to September 6, 2017, in the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere, the Defendant, Eric Darnell Mcilwain, did knowingly, willfully and unlawfully conspire, combine, confederate, and agree with persons known and unknown, to commit offenses against the United States. That is, to conduct financial transactions affecting interstate and foreign commerce, which involved the proceeds of a specified unlawful activity, to wit: conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five (5) kilograms or more of a Schedule II controlled substance, namely cocaine HCL, in violation of 21 U.S.C § 846, knowing that the property involved represented the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity, with the intent to conceal and disguise the nature, source, or ownership of such proceeds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), said financial transactions being the receiving of or attempting to receive and the delivery or attempted delivery of bulk money shipments of United States currency received from purchasers of cocaine HCL for the purpose of delivery to co-conspirators in the Southern District of Texas via transportation of the tainted proceeds through the Eastern District of Texas, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) - Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
d. That the Defendant's knowing and voluntary plea is supported by an independent factual basis establishing each of the essential elements of the offense and the Defendant realizes that his conduct falls within the definition of the crime charged under 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) -Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
As factual support for the Defendant's guilty plea, the Government presented a factual basis. See Factual Basis and Stipulation. In support, the Government would prove that the Defendant is the same person charged in the Information, and that the events described in the Information occurred in the Eastern District of Texas. The Government would also have proven, beyond a reasonable doubt, each and every essential element of the offense as alleged in Count One of the Information through the testimony of witnesses, including expert witnesses, and admissible exhibits. In support of the Defendant's plea, the undersigned incorporates the proffer of evidence described in detail in the factual basis and stipulation filed in support of the plea agreement, and the Defendant's admissions made in open court in response to the undersigned's further inquiry into the factual basis and stipulation.
IT IS THEREFORE the recommendation of the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge that the District Court accept the Guilty Plea of the Defendant, which the undersigned determines to be supported by an independent factual basis establishing each of the essential elements of the offense charged in Count One of the Information. Accordingly, it is further recommended that the District Court finally adjudge the Defendant, Eric Darnell Mcilwain, guilty of the charged offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) - Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.

References: § 636
 v. 
 § 846
 § 1956
 § 1956
 § 1956
 § 1956