Opinion ID: 571296
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Facts surrounding the plea bargaining

Text: 9 During initial plea bargaining, the government sought Mr. Hernandez's testimony against Mr. Parrish and offered to recommend a sentencing departure in return for cooperation. Mr. Hernandez's attorney told the government that Mr. Hernandez would not cooperate because he feared for his family. 10 Mr. Hernandez's attorney and the government then negotiated a plea agreement under which the government agreed that sentencing for the conspiracy would be based on only one kilo of cocaine. In the agreement, the government gave no assurances that it would not immunize Mr. Hernandez in order to obtain his testimony against Mr. Parrish. However, his attorney advised him that, if he pled guilty pursuant to the agreement, he would not have to testify. 11 Mr. Hernandez signed the agreement and pled guilty. The government then announced that it would seek to immunize Mr. Hernandez and compel him to testify against Mr. Parrish. Mr. Hernandez was permitted to withdraw his guilty plea, but the court refused to dismiss the indictment. Mr. Hernandez went immediately to trial, was found guilty and, with the government's acquiescence, was sentenced for one kilogram of cocaine (the sentence level promised in the plea agreement). Mr. Hernandez was tried together with Mr. Parrish and did not testify against him.