USA v. Punch

1
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MONTANA
BUTTE DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
vs.
DIANA MICHELLE KARNES,
Defendant.
CR 25-10-BU-DLC
FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCERNING PLEA
The Defendant, by consent, has appeared before the undersigned pursuant to
Fed. R. Crim. P. 11 and has entered a plea of guilty to the offense of conspiracy to
distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl in violation of 21 U.S.C. §
846 (Count 1) and the offense of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in
violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2 (Count 2), as set forth in
Superseding Indictment. After examining the Defendant under oath, I have made
the following determinations:
1. 	That the Defendant is fully competent and capable of entering an
informed and voluntary plea,
2. 	That the Defendant is aware of the nature of the charge against her and
consequences of pleading guilty to the charge,
Case 2:25-cr-00010-DLC Document 304 Filed 11/10/25 Page 1 of 2

2
3. 	That the Defendant fully understands his constitutional rights, and the
extent to which she is waiving those rights by pleading guilty, and
4. 	That the plea of guilty is a knowing and voluntary plea, supported by an
independent basis in fact sufficient to prove each of the essential elements of the
offense charged.
Therefore, I recommend that the Defendant be adjudged guilty of the offense
of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl in violation
of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Count 1) and the offense of possession with intent to distribute
fentanyl in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2 (Count 2), as set
forth in the Indictment, and that sentence be imposed. A presentence report has
been ordered.
This report is forwarded with the recommendation that the Court defer
a decision regarding acceptance until the Court has reviewed the presentence
report.
DATED this 10th day of November, 2025.
Kathleen L. DeSoto
United States Magistrate Judge
Case 2:25-cr-00010-DLC Document 304 Filed 11/10/25 Page 2 of 2