Source: http://va.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20141021_0000947.WVA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-12-04 18:22:38
Document Index: 226740543

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1324', '§ 1326', '§ 636', '§ 1324', '§ 1324', '§ 3553', '§ 1324']

UNITED STATES OF AMERICAv.SAMUEL MENDEZ, Defendant.
AMENDED BY STIPULATION AND AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES
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 one count of Alien Smuggling and with one count of Illegal Reentry subsequent to conviction of a felony offense.
The court then received for filing the Information charging in Count One that on or about August 21, 2014, in this district and elsewhere, the defendant SAMUEL MENDEZ did knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that a certain alien, H.M.P., had come into, entered, and remained in the United States in violation of law, did transport and move said alien within the United States by means of transportation and otherwise, in furtherance of such violation of law, and for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain. All in violation of 8 U.S.C. §§ 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) and 1324(a)(1)(B)(i); and charging in Count Two that on or about August 21, 2014, in or near Augusta County, within this district, the defendant SAMUEL MENDEZ, an alien, was found in the United States after having been removed therefrom on or about December 16, 2011, at or near New Orleans, Louisiana, subsequent to a conviction for commission of a felony, 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)(1). In addition the Information contains a Notice of Forfeiture apprising the above-named defendant that certain of his property is subject to forfeiture upon conviction of the offense alleged against him in Count One.
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 5.1(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, Lisa Lorish, Assistant Federal Public Defender.
After the defendant was placed under oath, he stated that he understood his obligation to testify truthfully in all respects under penalty of perjury, and he understood the government's right in a prosecution for perjury or false statement to use against him any statement that he gives under oath. The defendant then testified that he cannot speak or understand the English language without the assistance of the interpreter, and with such assistance he is able to understand and participate fully in the proceeding without difficulty. He stated he has no medical condition, either physical or mental, which might interfere with his ability to understand and participate in the proceeding; he is using no medication or drugs which might impair his ability to understand and participate in the proceeding, and his mind is clear. The defendant's attorney then confirmed that she had discussed with her client the issues related to a waiver of indictment on the offense charged in the Information, that her client fully understood his right to indictment by grand jury, and that the decision of the defendant to waive indictment on the charges was fully voluntary on his part.
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 offenses by Information was fully voluntary. After acknowledging 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 transporting a certain illegal alien within the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain, and charging the defendant in Count Two with the felony offense of being found in the United States after having been legally removed without having obtained the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission. 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.
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 waive grand jury presentment and enter a plea of guilty to Count One of the Information charging him with alien smuggling in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) and § 1324(a)(1)(B)(i) [¶ 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 terms of the government's obligation to dismiss as to this defendant any remaining counts at the time of sentencing [¶ A.3.]; 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 defendant's stipulation that all matters pertaining to any of the counts of the charging document are relevant sentencing conduct [¶ B.2]; the parties' stipulation that the 2013 edition of the USSG Manual applies to the defendant's offenses and that guideline sections 2L1.1(a)(3) and 2L1.1(b)(2)(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 within 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 parties asset forfeiture agreement (counsel for the government also orally informed the court that administrative forfeiture proceedings had already been instituted) [¶ C.]; the terms of the defendant's express relinquishment of his waivable rights of direct appeal [¶ D.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 [¶ D.2.]; the defendant's abandonment of any seized property [¶ D.5.]; the defendant's waiver of all rights to access of investigation or prosecution records or information [¶D.31; 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) [¶ D.6.]; the defendant's acknowledgment that in the event he withdraws his guilty plea any statements he makes (including the plea agreement and his admission of guilt) during or in preparation for any guilty plea or other hearing and any statement he makes or has made to any law enforcement agents, in any setting may be used against him in this or any other proceeding [¶ D.7.]; the defendant's acknowledgment that he had been effectively represented in this case [¶ F.3.]; the parties express acknowledgment that the written plea agreement constituted the entire understanding between the parties [¶ F.2.]; and the substance of the agreement's other terms and provisions. See Rule 11(b)(1)(B)-(O) 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 ten (10) 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)(1)(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).
Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement [¶ D.1], the defendant expressly acknowledged that he understood that he was waiving his right to appeal. Likewise, pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement [¶ D.2.], he expressly acknowledged that he understood he was waiving his right to challenge his conviction or his sentence in any post-conviction proceeding.
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, §§ 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) and 1324(a)(1)(B)(i).
The agreed written Statement of Facts referenced above is incorporated herein and made a part hereof by reference. By supplemental oral proffer, counsel for the government represented that at trial it was also prepared to present evidence that some of the transported aliens told authorities that there had been only "brief' stops between Arizona and Virginia, that they had been fed only once per day, that they had been required to stay hidden and quiet, that three passengers had no seat belt, and H.M.P. had been required to ride the entire way in a compartment by the rear vehicle hatch. The defendant neither admitted nor denied these contents of the oral proffer.
9. Count Two of the Information should be dismissed at the time of sentencing in accordance with the terms of the plea agreement;
10. The plea agreement complies with the requirements of Rule 11(c)(1); and
11. The evidence presents an independent basis in fact containing each essential element of the offense to which the defendant has entered a plea of guilty.
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, that the government's motion to dismiss as to this defendant the remaining charge (Count Two) in the Information be GRANTED, and that a sentencing hearing be set for January 21, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. before the presiding district judge.