Source: http://oh.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20171208_0003860.SOH.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2018-05-21 06:53:48
Document Index: 271255560

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 371', '§ 287', '§ 5324', '§ 1028', '§ 636', '§ 2255']

JANAY RUIZ, Defendant.
The United States of America and Defendant Janay Ruiz entered into a plea agreement whereby Defendant agreed to enter a plea of guilty to an Information charging her in Count 1 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1343; in Count 2 with making a false claim in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 287; Count 3 with structuring transactions to evade reporting requirements in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 5324; and Count 4 with identity theft in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028(a)(7). On December 7, 2017, Defendant, accompanied by her counsel, appeared for an arraignment. 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). Defendant also waived her right to an Indictment in open court and after being advised of the nature of the charge and of her 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 she entered her guilty plea, Defendant was in full possession of her 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 plea, the undersigned addressed her personally and in open court and determined her competence to plead. Based on the observations of the undersigned, Defendant understands the nature and meaning of the charge returned in the Information and the consequences of her plea. 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 plea is voluntary. Defendant acknowledged that the plea agreement signed by her, her attorney and the attorney for the United States and filed on October 10, 2017, represents the only promises made to her by anyone regarding the charge in the Information. The undersigned specifically addressed those provisions of the plea agreement regarding a Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(c)(1)(C) agreed sentence.[1] The undersigned also addressed the provision in the plea agreement regarding waivers of her right to appeal the Court's judgment against her; the imposition of a sentence, except in limited circumstances; to collaterally attack his conviction and sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255; and any other means of collateral attack under a habeas corpus. Defendant was advised that the District Judge may accept or reject the plea agreement or any term therein, particularly the parties' agreed sentence.
The undersigned advised Defendant the Court will defer its decision to accept or reject the plea agreement until the Court has an opportunity to consider the presentence report but that, if the Court chooses not to follow the terms of the plea agreement and rejects it, Defendant will have an opportunity to withdraw her plea of guilty. The undersigned cautioned Defendant that, if she chooses not to withdraw her plea of guilty, the Court may impose a more severe sentence and dispose of the case less favorably than her current plea agreement contemplates, and could, in fact, impose any sentence up to the statutory maximum set forth for the offense to which she pleaded guilty.
Defendant confirmed the accuracy of the statement of facts supporting the charge, which is attached to the operative plea agreement. She confirmed that she is pleading guilty to Counts 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Information because she is in fact guilty of the offenses charged. The Court finds that a factual basis supports the plea.
The Court concludes that Defendant's plea of guilty to Counts 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Information is knowingly and voluntarily made with the understanding of the nature and meaning of the charge and of the consequences of her plea.
It is therefore RECOMMENDED that Defendant Estella R. Collier's guilty plea to Count One 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.