United States v. Benion

          FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDATION ON GUILTY PLEA BEFORE THE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

          ZACK HAWTHORN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

         By order of the District Court, this matter is referred to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge for administration of the guilty plea under Rule 11. Magistrate judges have the statutory authority to conduct a felony guilty plea proceeding as an “additional duty” pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3). United States v. Bolivar-Munoz, 313 F.3d 253, 255 (5th Cir. 2002).

         On July 12, 2019, this case came before the undersigned magistrate judge for entry of a guilty plea by the Defendant, Johnathan Charles Benion, to Count One of the Fourth Superseding Indictment. Count One alleges that from on or in August 2017, the exact date being unknown to the Grand Jury, and continuing thereafter until on or in December 2017, the exact date being unknown to the Grand Jury, in the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere, Johnathan Charles Benion and his codefendants, aiding and abetting each other and others known and unknown, knowingly and intentionally conspired and agreed with co-defendants, and with persons known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of a Schedule II controlled substance, namely: cocaine HCL and/or cocaine base, all in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine HCL and/or Cocaine Base.

         The Defendant entered a plea of guilty to Count One of the Fourth Superseding Indictment into the record at the hearing. After conducting the proceeding in the form and manner prescribed by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, the undersigned finds:

         a. That the Defendant, after consultation with his attorney, has knowingly, freely and voluntarily consented to the administration of the guilty plea in this case by a United States Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Texas, subject to a final approval and imposition of sentence by the District Court.

         b. That the Defendant and the Government have entered into a plea agreement which was disclosed and addressed in open court, entered into the record, and placed under seal. The Defendant verified that he understood the terms of the plea agreement, and he acknowledged that it was his signature on the plea agreement. To the extent the plea agreement contains recommendations and requests pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 11 (c)(1)(B), the court advised the Defendant that he has no right to withdraw the plea if the court does not follow the particular recommendations or requests. To the extent that any or all of the terms of the plea agreement are pursuant to Rule 11(c)(1)(A) or (C), the undersigned advised the Defendant that he will have the opportunity to withdraw his plea of guilty should the court not follow those particular terms of the plea agreement.^[1]

         c. That the Defendant is fully competent and capable of entering an informed plea, that the Defendant is aware of the nature of the charges and the consequences of the plea, and that the plea of guilty is made freely, knowingly, and voluntarily. Upon addressing the Defendant personally in open court, the undersigned determines that the Defendant's plea is knowing and voluntary and did not result from force, threats or promises (other than the promises set forth in the plea agreement). See Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(b)(2).

         d. That the Defendant's knowing and voluntary plea is supported by an independent factual basis establishing each of the essential elements of the offense and the Defendant realizes that his conduct falls within the definition of the crime charged under 21 U.S.C. § 846 - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine HCL and/or Cocaine Base.

         STATEMENT OF REASONS

         As factual support for the Defendant's guilty plea, the Government presented a factual basis. See Factual Basis and Stipulation. In support, the Government would prove that the Defendant is the same person charged in the Fourth Superseding Indictment, and that the events described in the Fourth Superseding Indictment occurred in the Eastern District of Texas. The Government would also have proven, beyond a reasonable doubt, each and every essential element of the offense as alleged in Count One of the Fourth Superseding Indictment through the testimony of witnesses, including expert witnesses, and admissible exhibits. In support of the Defendant's plea, the undersigned incorporates the proffer of evidence described in detail in the factual basis and stipulation filed in support of the plea agreement, and the Defendant's admissions made in open court in response to the undersigned's further inquiry into the factual basis and stipulation.

         The Defendant agreed with and stipulated to the evidence presented in the factual basis. Counsel for the Defendant and the Government attested to the Defendant's competency and capability to enter an informed plea of guilty. The Defendant agreed with the evidence presented by the Government and personally testified that he was entering the guilty plea knowingly, freely and voluntarily.

         RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION

         IT IS THEREFORE the recommendation of the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge that the District Court accept the Guilty Plea of the Defendant, which the undersigned determines to be supported by an independent factual basis establishing each of the essential elements of the offense charged in Count One of the Fourth Superseding Indictment. Accordingly, it is further recommended that the District Court finally adjudge the Defendant, Johnathan Charles Benion, guilty of the charged offense under 21 U.S.C. § 846 - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine HCL and/or Cocaine Base.

         The District Court should defer its decision to accept or reject the plea agreement until there has been an opportunity to review the presentence report. If the plea agreement is rejected and the Defendant still persists in his guilty plea, the disposition of the case may be less favorable to the Defendant than that contemplated by the plea agreement. The Defendant is ordered to report to the United States Probation Department for the ...