Source: http://va.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20141014_0000916.WVA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-12-03 23:48:55
Document Index: 187839145

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1326', '§ 1101', '§ 1326', '§ 636', '§ 1326', '§ 1326', '§ 3553', '§ 1326']

| United Statesv. Loaeza-Montes
United Statesv. Loaeza-Montes
UNITED STATES OF AMERICAv.EMILIO LOAEZA-MONTES, Defendant.
On October 7, 2014 came the United States, by counsel, and came also the defendant, in his own proper person and by his counsel. At which time counsel for the parties jointly represented that the parties had entered into a plea agreement understanding, pursuant to which the defendant desires to waive his absolute right to grand jury presentment and to permit the filing of a criminal Information charging him with Aggravated Illegal Reentry in violation of 8 U.S.C. §§ 1326(a) and 1326(b)(2).
The court then received for filing the Information charging in Count One that on or about August 21, 2014, in or near Augusta County, within this district, the defendant EMILIO LOAEZA-MONTES, an alien, was found in the United States after having been removed therefrom on or about July 5, 2013, at or near Oakdale, Louisiana, subsequent to a conviction for commission of an "aggravated felony, " as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43), and not having obtained the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States; all in violation of 8 U.S.C. §§ 1326(a) and (b)(2).
In accordance with the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and with the express consent of the defendant and his counsel, an initial appearance and waiver of indictment proceeding was conducted before the undersigned on the same date. The proceedings were recorded by a court reporter. See Rule 5(g). A qualified Spanish language interpreter was present and gave his oath/affirmation to make a true translation of the proceeding. See Rule 28 and Evidence Rule 604. The United States was represented by Elizabeth Wright, Assistant United States Attorney. The defendant was at all times present in person and with his counsel, David L. Parker.
The defendant was advised of his right not to make a statement, and that any statement made by him can be used against him. See Rule 5(d)(1)(E). It was then noted for the record that the defendant had been previously apprised of his right to retain counsel or to request appointment of counsel and that counsel had been appointed pursuant to his request. See Rule 5(d)(1)(B). In response to the court's inquiry, the defendant represented that he had been given a reasonable and adequate opportunity to consult with his counsel and that he was prepared to proceed. See Rule 5(d)(2).
Upon further questioning, the defendant confirmed that no threats or promises had been made to induce him to waive grand jury indictment and that his decision to proceed on the charged offense by Information was fully voluntary. After he acknowledged his signature on the written Waiver of Indictment, it was received, filed and made a part of the record. The Information, formally charging the defendant in Count One with the felony offense of Aggravated Illegal Reentry was filed and made a part of the record. It was noted for the record that the defendant's waiver of indictment was knowingly and voluntarily made with the advice and assistance of counsel.
The defendant testified to the following personal facts: his full legal name is EMILIO LOAEZA-MONTES; he is thirty-six (36) years of age, and he attended school for eight years in Mexico. His ability to read and understand English is limited; however, with the assistance of the Spanish language interpreter he reiterated that he was fully able to understand and participate in the proceedings. He testified that he had no medical condition, either physical or mental, which might interfere with his ability to understand and to participate fully in the proceeding; he stated he was using no alcoholic beverage, medication or drugs which might impair his ability to participate fully in the proceeding and that his mind was clear. He stated that he understood he was in court for the purpose of entering a plea of guilty to a felony offense which he could not later withdraw. Upon inquiry, the defendant's attorney represented that he had no reservations about the defendant's competency to a enter plea of guilty to the charged felony offense set forth in Count One.
The defendant acknowledged that he had received a copy of the Information that it had been fully translated and explained to him. He stated that he had discussed the charges with his attorney and had been given enough time to do so. He stated that he understood the nature of the charges against him in the Information and specifically understood it charged a felony offense. See Rule 11(b)(1)(G). He testified that he had discussed any possible defenses with his attorney and that he had been given adequate time to prepare any defenses he might have to the charge. He stated that his decision to enter a plea of guilty to Count One had been made after consulting with his attorney. He stated he was fully satisfied with the services of his attorney, and it was his intention and desire to enter a plea of guilty to Count One pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement.
Counsel for the parties having previously informed the court that the defendant's proposed plea was to be made pursuant to a written plea agreement ( see Rule 11(c)(2)), counsel for the government set forth the government's understanding of the plea agreement in some detail: including the agreement for the defendant to wave grand jury presentment and enter a plea of guilty to Count One of the Information charging him with Aggravated Illegal Reentry in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and § 1326(b)(2) [¶ A.1.]; the defendant's express acknowledgment of the maximum statutory penalty for the offense charged in Count One [¶ A.1.]; the defendant's understanding that he may be required to pay fees for his incarceration and supervised release, that he may be required to pay restitution, and that his assets may be subject to forfeiture [¶¶ A.1. and B.4.]; the defendant's admission of his factual guilt to the offense charged in Count One of the Information [¶ A.1.]; the defendant's various monetary obligations, including payment of a $100.00 special assessment and the related restitution and assessment provisions [¶¶ A.1 and B.4.a.]; the defendant's express acknowledgment of the trial rights waived by entry of a voluntary plea of guilty [¶ A.2.]; the agreement's provision outlining the fact that sentencing is within the sole discretion of the court "subject to its consideration" of the Sentencing Guidelines and the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) [¶ B.1.]; the defendant's express recognition that he would not be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea irrespective of the sentence imposed by the court [¶ B.1.]; the parties' stipulation that the 2013 edition of the USSG Manual applies to the defendant's offenses and that guideline sections 2L1..2(a) and 2L1.2(b)(1)(A) are applicable to any guideline calculation made of the defendant's conduct [¶ B.2.]; the defendant's agreement not to seek a sentence outside of the guideline range, and the government's agreement to recommend a sentence at the low end of the guideline range [¶ B.2.]; the acceptance of responsibility provision [¶ B.2.]; the substantial assistance provision [¶ B.3.]; the defendant's financial disclosure obligation [¶ B.4.b.]; the terms of the defendant's express relinquishment of his waivable rights of direct appeal [¶ C.1.]; the terms of the defendant's express relinquishment of his waivable rights to make any collateral attack on any judgment or sentence imposed by the court [¶ C.2.]; the defendant's abandonment of any seized property [¶ C.5.]; the defendant's waiver of all rights to access of investigation or prosecution records or information [¶ C.3.]; the defendant's acknowledgment that he is a citizen of Mexico, has no current legal immigration status, and expressly agrees to waive any and all forms of relief from removal, deportation and exclusion under the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended) [¶ C.6.]; the defendant's acknowledgment that he had been effectively represented in this case [¶ E.3.]; the parties express acknowledgment that the written plea agreement constituted the entire understanding between the parties [¶ E.2.]; and the substance of the agreement's other terms and provisions. See Rule 11(b)(1)(B)-(0) and 11(c)(1)-(3).
After counsel for the government outlined the range of punishment for the offense charged in Count One of the Information the defendant acknowledged that he understood the maximum penalty provided by law for the said offense was confinement in a federal penitentiary for a term of twenty (20) years, a fine of $250, 000.00 and a term of supervised release or deportation and exclusion for a like period. See Rule 11(b)(H)-(I). In addition, the defendant acknowledged that he understood that he would be required to pay a mandatory $100.00 special assessment per felony conviction count. See Rule 11(b)(1)(L).
Each of his procedural rights surrendered on a plea of guilty was also explained: including, his right to plead not guilty to any offense charged against him and his right to persist in any such not guilty plea; his attendant right to a trial by an impartial jury; his right to counsel to assist in his defense; his presumption of innocence, the obligation of the government to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, his right at trial to see, to hear, to confront, and to have cross-examined all witnesses presented against him; his right to decline to testify unless he voluntarily elected to do so in his own defense; his right to remain silent; his right to the issuance of subpoenas or compulsory process to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify in his defense, and his right to a unanimous guilty verdict. See Rule 11(b)(1)(B)-(E). The defendant testified that he understood his right to plead not guilty and the attendant trial rights that he would waive by pleading guilty. See Rule 11(b)(1)(F).
In direct response to further questioning, the defendant also testified that he was pleading guilty to the offense charged in Count One because he had in fact illegally reentered the United States after being deported subsequent to conviction for commission of an "aggravated felony" as alleged in Count One of the Information. To permit the court to determine whether an independent basis in fact existed for the defendant's plea, counsel for the government submitted for filing as part of the record a written Statement of Facts summarizing the essential facts that the government was prepared to prove at trial. The defendant and his counsel each represented that the written statement had been translated into Spanish and fully explained. With the signature of the defendant and with the acknowledgment of the defendant and his attorney that the written Statement of Facts fairly summarized the government's case, this proffer was received, filed and made a part of the record. See Rule 11(b)(3).
After testifying that he had heard and understood all parts of the proceeding, the defendant waived a reading of the Information. Upon being then called-upon for his plea, the defendant entered the following: a plea of GUILTY to Count One alleging his violation of Title 8 United States Code, §§ 1326(a) and 1326(b)(2).
The defendant was then informed that acceptance of the plea agreement and his guilty plea would be recommended to the presiding district judge, that a pre-sentence report would be prepared, that he would be asked to give information for that report, that his attorney may be present if he wished, and that he and his attorney would have the right to read the pre-sentence report and to file objections to it. The defendant was then remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending preparation of a pre-sentence report, acceptance of his guilty plea, and sentencing.
The defendant did not request release on conditions, and he was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending preparation of the presentence report and acceptance of his plea.
1. The defendant is fully competent and capable of entering an informed plea to the charge set forth in Count One of the Information;
2. The defendant is fully aware both of the nature of the charge set forth in Count One of the Information and of the consequences of his guilty plea;
6. The defendant knowingly and voluntarily entered his plea of guilty to Count One of the Information;
Based on the above findings of fact, the undersigned RECOMMENDS that the court accept the defendant's plea of GUILTY to the offense charged in Count One of the Information, that he be adjudged guilty of said felony offense, and that a sentencing hearing be set for January 28, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. before the presiding district judge.