USA v. EDGAR GARCIA-VELASQUEZ ET AL

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
CASE NO. 24-CR-60174-DAMIAN
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
vs.
LUIS PORTILLO,
Defendant.
_____________________________/
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ON CHANGE OF PLEA
THIS CAUSE is before the Court on an Order of Reference (ECF No. 438) from United
States District Judge Melissa Damian for the purpose of conducting a proceeding for acceptance
of a guilty plea by Defendant Luis Portillo in the above-referenced case. 	On February 20, 2026,
I conducted a Change of Plea hearing, attended by Defendant, his counsel Jacob Cohen, and
Department of Justice Trial Attorney Jessica Massey. 	I hereby REPORT and RECOMMEND to
the District Court as follows:
1. 	At the outset of the hearing, I advised Defendant of his 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 he 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
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.
AT
Feb 20, 2026
FTL
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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 entered into a written Plea Agreement. 	ECF No. 454. 	I
reviewed the Plea Agreement on the record and had Defendant acknowledge that he signed and
understood the Plea Agreement. 	I also made certain that Defendant was aware of any applicable
mandatory minimum sentences and statutory enhancements. 	I advised Defendant of the
maximum sentence that could be imposed in this case pursuant to the Plea Agreement and the
applicable statutes. 	Defendant acknowledged that he 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 count 1 of the Indictment, which charges him with
conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance (specifically, 50 grams or
more of methamphetamine), in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846.
6. 	The Parties provided a signed, agreed written factual basis for the entry of the plea
(ECF No. 453), which includes all the essential elements of the crime to which Defendant is
pleading guilty and any statutory sentencing enhancements and/or aggravating factors that may be
applicable. 	Defendant acknowledged on the record that he 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 he is
pleading guilty.
7. 	I 	advised 	Defendant 	about 	the 	possible 	immigration 	and 	other 	collateral
consequences of his guilty plea.
8. 	Defendant expressed satisfaction with his counsel’s representation.
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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 Defendant, Luis
Portillo, (1) be found to have freely and voluntarily entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to possess
with 	intent 	to 	distribute 	a 	controlled 	substance 	(specifically, 	50 	grams 	or 	more 	of
methamphetamine), in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, (2) that his plea of guilty be accepted, and (3)
that he be adjudged guilty of this offense. 	I further recommend that a sentencing hearing be
conducted for final disposition of this matter.
The parties will have three (3) days1 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 three (3) 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
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).
1 At the hearing, the parties both agreed to shortening of the objection period.
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DONE AND SUBMITTED at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this 20th day of February, 2026.
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