USA v. Santiago et al

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
AT CHATTANOOGA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
STEPHEN WATTENBARGER
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Case No. 1:25-cr-69
Judge Travis R. McDonough
Magistrate Judge Christopher H. Steger
ORDER
U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher H. Steger filed a report and recommendation (Doc. 176)
recommending that the Court: (1) grant Defendant’s motion to withdraw his not guilty plea to
Count Thirty-One of the thirty-four count Indictment; (2) accept Defendant’s guilty plea to Count
Thirty-One of the thirty-four count Indictment; (3) adjudicate Defendant guilty of possession with
intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and
841(b)(1)(B); and (4) order that Defendant remain in custody pending sentencing or further order
of this Court.
After reviewing the record, the Court agrees with Magistrate Judge Steger’s report and
recommendation. Accordingly, the Court ACCEPTS and ADOPTS the magistrate judge’s report
and recommendation (Doc. 176) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and ORDERS as follows:
1. 	Defendant’s motion to withdraw his not guilty plea to Count Thirty-One of the thirty-four
count Indictment is GRANTED;
2. 	Defendant’s plea of guilty to Count Thirty-One of the thirty-four count Indictment is
ACCEPTED;
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3. 	Defendant is hereby ADJUDGED guilty of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams
or more of fentanyl in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B); and
4. 	Defendant SHALL REMAIN in custody until further order of this Court or sentencing in
this matter, which is scheduled to take place on May 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. EST.
SO ORDERED.
/s/Travis R. McDonough
TRAVIS R. MCDONOUGH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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