USA v. Gates

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FORT SMITH DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 	PLAINTIFF
v. 	Case No. 2:25-CR-20017-001
TREVOR GATES 	DEFENDANT
MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and (3), Local Rule 72.1 ¶ XII, and
General Order No. 40, this matter was referred to the undersigned for the purposes of conducting
a plea hearing pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Such a hearing
was conducted on April 9, 2026, and, pursuant to a written Plea Agreement, the Defendant entered
a plea of guilty to Count One (1) of the Indictment. Pursuant to the written Plea Agreement, the
Government will move to dismiss Count Two (2) of the Indictment once the Court has pronounced
sentence.
The plea agreement states, inter alia, that the Defendant agrees to forfeit certain assets to
the Government and consents to entry of an order of forfeiture for such assets.
After conducting the hearing in the form and manner prescribed by Rule 11, the
undersigned finds:
1. 	The Defendant, after consultation with his counsel, has knowingly and voluntarily
consented, both in writing and on the record at the hearing, to the entry of his guilty plea before
the undersigned, with the guilty plea being subject to the final approval by United States District
Judge Susan O. Hickey.
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2. 	The Defendant and the Government have entered into a written Plea Agreement
which has been disclosed in open court pursuant to Rule 11(c)(2), and the undersigned has directed
that the Plea Agreement be filed.
3. 	The Defendant is fully competent and capable of entering an informed plea; the
Defendant is aware of the nature of the charge, the applicable maximum penalties, and the
consequences of the guilty plea; the Defendant is fully satisfied with his counsel and has had
sufficient time to consult with him; and, the plea of guilty is a knowing and voluntary guilty plea
supported by an independent basis in fact containing each of the essential elements of the offense.
4. 	The Defendant understands his constitutional and statutory rights and wishes to
waive these rights.
5. 	The parties were informed, both in writing and on the record at the hearing, of their
right to file written objections within fourteen (14) days after receipt of this Report and
Recommendation. To expedite acceptance of the guilty plea, the parties waived, both on the record
and in writing, their right to file objections.
Based on the foregoing, the undersigned recommends that the guilty plea be accepted and
that the written Plea Agreement be tentatively approved, subject to final approval at sentencing.
Dated: April 9, 2026
/s/ Mark E. Ford____________
HON. MARK E. FORD
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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