Opinion
Case No. 1:05-cr-208.
November 9, 2005
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to W.D. MICH. L.CR.R. 11.1, I conducted a plea hearing in the captioned case on November 9, 2005, after receiving the written consent of defendant and all counsel. At the hearing, defendant Richard Nieto entered a plea of guilty to the Indictment, charging defendant with stealing mail matter which came into his possession in the course of his employment with the U.S. Postal Service in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1709, in exchange for the undertakings made by the government in the written plea agreement. On the basis of the record made at the hearing, I find that defendant is fully capable and competent to enter an informed plea; that the plea is made knowingly and with full understanding of each of the rights waived by defendant; that it is made voluntarily and free from any force, threats, or promises, apart from the promises in the plea agreement; that the defendant understands the nature of the charge and penalties provided by law; and that the plea has a sufficient basis in fact.
I therefore recommend that defendant's plea of guilty to Indictment be accepted, that the court adjudicate defendant guilty, and that the written plea agreement be considered for acceptance at the time of sentencing. It is further recommended that the order setting conditions of defendant's release remain in effect pending sentencing. Acceptance of the plea, adjudication of guilt, acceptance of the plea agreement, determination of defendant's status pending sentencing, and imposition of sentence are specifically reserved for the district judge.