USA v. Stokley

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
EASTERN DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
vs.
JUSTIN STOKLEY,
Defendant.
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CASE NO. 1:26-CR-00298
JUDGE CHARLES E. FLEMING
MAGISTRATE JUDGE JAMES E.
GRIMES, JR.
ORDER ACCEPTING/ENTERING
PLEA OF GUILTY AND REFERRING
THE MATTER FOR PREPARATION
OF A PRESENTENCE REPORT
Before the Court is the Report and Recommendation (“R&R”) filed by United States
Magistrate Judge James E. Grimes, Jr. recommending that the Court accept Defendant’s guilty
plea and enter a finding of guilty. 	(ECF No. 19). 	This matter was previously referred to the
Magistrate Judge to accept Defendant’s plea of guilty, conduct the colloquy prescribed by Fed. R.
Crim. P. 11, cause a verbatim record of the proceedings to be prepared, refer the matter for
preparation of a presentence report, and submit an R&R stating whether the plea should be
accepted and a finding of guilty entered. 	(Order [non-document] dated Jul. 14, 2026); see also
(ECF No. 18) (consent to referral order).
On June 23, 2026, the government filed a one count Indictment alleging that Defendant
violated 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(1) (felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition). (ECF No. 1).
On August 27, 2026, Defendant filed a Notice of Intent to Plead with Proposed Plea Agreement.
(ECF No. 17).
Following the Court’s Order of Referral, Magistrate Judge Grimes held a change of plea
hearing on September 22, 2026, during which the Defendant entered a plea of guilty to the
Indictment. (ECF No. 20, Tr. of hr’g, PageID #94-159; Minutes of proceedings [non-document]
Case: 1:26-cr-00298-CEF Doc #: 21 Filed: 10/15/26 1 of 2. PageID #: <pageID>

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dated 9/22/2026). The same day, Magistrate Judge Grimes issued an R&R recommending that the
Court accept Defendant’s guilty plea and enter a finding of guilty. (ECF No. 19). Any objections
to the R&R were due on October 6, 2026. (Id. at PageID #28). Neither party has objected to the
R&R.
On review of the record, including the written transcript, the Court adopts the R&R.
Defendant is found to be competent to enter a plea and to understand his constitutional rights. He
is aware of the charges and of the consequences of entering a guilty plea. He is also aware of the
trial rights he waives/gives up by pleading guilty. There is an adequate factual basis for the plea.
Defendant denied being threatened into entering the plea and confirmed that no promises have
been made to him, other than those contained in the plea agreement. The Court finds the plea was
entered knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. The plea is accepted.
Therefore, Defendant is adjudged guilty of Count 1 of the Information, in violation of Title
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). This matter is hereby referred to the U.S. Probation Office
for the preparation of a presentence report. Sentencing is set for January 7, 2027, at 10:00 AM.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Date: October 15, 2026
__________________________________
CHARLES E. FLEMING
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
____________________________
Case: 1:26-cr-00298-CEF Doc #: 21 Filed: 10/15/26 2 of 2. PageID #: <pageID>