Opinion ID: 716249
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Co-Defendant's Presence at Plea Hearing and Government's

Text: Breach of Plea Agreement 13 Autullo next argues that the presence of his co-defendant at his plea hearing confused him, and that the government breached the plea agreement. 14 Autullo's plea hearing was conducted in the presence of a co-defendant, Nick Ahrens, who was also pleading guilty. Autullo argues that Ahrens' presence at the hearing confused him, and that he was led to believe that his aggregate sentence would be similar to Ahrens'. We disagree. At the hearing, the government stated that it would recommend an aggregate sentence of eight years and five months for Ahrens. Later in the hearing, the district court informed Autullo that his sentence for tax evasion (Count Forty-One) would be similar to the sentence that Ahrens would likely receive for tax evasion, which was 31-41 months' imprisonment. Clearly, the district court's reference to a similarity in sentences between Autullo and Ahrens concerned the tax count only. 15 Autullo additionally argues that the government breached the plea agreement. At sentencing, the government advised the probation officer of criminal activity outside of the events charged in the counts to which Autullo pleaded guilty. There is, however, no provision in the plea agreement limiting the sentencing information provided by the government. Hence, the agreement was not breached.