USA v. Echeverria et al

1
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
CASE NO. 25-CR-60298-DAMIAN
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
vs.
TILAHYA ADIB ECHEVARRIA,
Defendant.
_____________________________/
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ON CHANGE OF PLEA
THIS CAUSE is before the Court on an Order of Reference (ECF No. 82) from United
States District Judge Melissa Damian for the purpose of conducting a proceeding for acceptance
of a guilty plea by Defendant Tilahya Adib Echevarria in the above-referenced case. 	On January
28, 2026, I conducted a Change of Plea hearing, attended by Defendant, her counsel Allari
Dominguez, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Deric Zacca. 	I hereby REPORT and RECOMMEND
to the District Court as follows:
1. 	At the outset of the hearing, I advised Defendant of her right to have these
proceedings conducted by the District Judge assigned to the case. 	Further, I advised Defendant
that I was conducting the Change of Plea hearing on an Order of Reference from the District Judge.
I further advised Defendant that the District Judge assigned to this case would be the sentencing
judge and would make all findings and rulings concerning Defendant’s sentence.
2. 	I advised Defendant that she did not have to permit me, a United States Magistrate
Judge, to conduct this hearing and could request that the Change of Plea hearing be conducted only
AT
Jan 28, 2026
FTL
Case 0:25-cr-60298-MD Document 86 Entered on FLSD Docket 01/29/2026 Page 1 of 4

2
by a United States District Judge. 	Defendant and the Assistant United States Attorney assigned
to the case all agreed on the record and consented to me conducting the Change of Plea hearing.
3. 	I conducted a plea colloquy in accordance with the outline set forth in the Bench
Book for District Judges and Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
4. 	The Parties have not 	entered into 	a written 	Plea Agreement. 	Defendant
acknowledged that no one had made any promises or assurances to persuade her to plead guilty.
I made certain that Defendant was aware of any applicable mandatory minimum sentences (there
are none) and statutory enhancements (there are none). 	I advised Defendant of the maximum
sentence that could be imposed in this case pursuant to the applicable statutes. 	Defendant
acknowledged that she understood the possible maximum penalties (including fines, supervised
release, restitution, forfeiture, and special assessments) that could be imposed in this case.
5. 	Defendant pleaded guilty to counts 1-3 of the Indictment, which charge her with:
conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Count 1);
distribution of a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Count 2); and
attempted distribution of a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Count 3).
6. 	The Parties provided a signed, agreed written factual basis for the entry of the plea
(ECF No. 85), which includes all the essential elements of the crimes to which Defendant is
pleading guilty and any statutory sentencing enhancements and/or aggravating factors that may be
applicable (there are none). 	Defendant acknowledged on the record that she read and understood
the written factual proffer, had signed that proffer, agreed that the facts set forth in the proffer were
true and accurate, and agreed that the proffer included the essential elements of the offense to
which she is pleading guilty.
7. 	I 	advised 	Defendant 	about 	the 	possible 	immigration 	and 	other 	collateral
Case 0:25-cr-60298-MD Document 86 Entered on FLSD Docket 01/29/2026 Page 2 of 4

3
consequences of her guilty plea.
8. 	Defendant expressed satisfaction with her counsel’s representation.
9. 	Defendant has been referred to the U.S. Probation Office for the preparation of a
pre-sentence investigation report.
Based on all the foregoing and the plea colloquy, I RECOMMEND that:
1. 	Defendant, Tilahya Adib Echevarria, be found to have freely and voluntarily entered
her guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of 21
U.S.C. § 846 (Count 1); distribution of a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C.
§ 841(a)(1) (Count 2); and attempted distribution of a controlled substance, in violation
of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Count 3);
2. 	her plea of guilty be accepted, and;
3. 	she be adjudged guilty of these offenses.
I further recommend that a sentencing hearing be conducted for final disposition of this
matter.
The parties will have three1 (3) days from the date of being served with a copy of this
Report and Recommendation within which to file written objections, if any, with the Honorable
Melissa Damian United States District Judge. 	If neither party has an objection to this Report and
Recommendation, the parties shall file a joint notice of non-objection within fourteen (14) days
from the date of being served with a copy of this Report and Recommendation. 	Failure to file
objections timely shall bar the parties from a de novo determination by the District Judge of any
issue covered in the Report and shall bar the parties from attacking on appeal unobjected-to factual
1 At the hearing, the parties consented to shortening the objection time to three days.
Case 0:25-cr-60298-MD Document 86 Entered on FLSD Docket 01/29/2026 Page 3 of 4

4
and legal conclusions contained therein, except upon grounds of plain error if necessary in the
interest of justice. 	See 28 U.S.C. 636(b)(1); Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 149 (1985); Henley v.
Johnson, 885 F.2d 790, 794 (1989); 11th Cir. R. 3-1 (2016).
DONE AND SUBMITTED at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this 28th day of January, 2026.
Case 0:25-cr-60298-MD Document 86 Entered on FLSD Docket 01/29/2026 Page 4 of 4