United States v. Crystal Denean Harvell — M.D. Fla., Jacksonville Division, No. 3:24-cr-00179-WWB-LLL

Case summary

Crystal Denean Harvell was charged by a two-count information in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, No. 3:24-cr-00179-WWB-LLL, with count one charging conspiracy to commit wire fraud and count two charging wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 and 1343. She filed a waiver of indictment on August 21, 2024 and re-executed it in open court on September 4, 2024, when U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura Lothman Lambert accepted the waiver and took her plea of guilty to counts one and two of the information. She was released on personal recognizance, the parties waived the 14-day objection period to the report and recommendation, and sentencing was to be set by the district judge. No judgment or sentence is on this page.

Case at a glance

What was she charged with?

The clerk's minutes for September 4, 2024 record that she appeared on a two-count information, count one charging conspiracy to commit wire fraud and count two charging wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 and 1343, and that she was advised of her rights, the charge, the penalties, the special assessment and the forfeiture provision. The information is not on this page. An Assistant United States Attorney entered an appearance on August 30, 2024 as co-counsel for the government in regard to forfeiture proceedings.

What happened at the hearing of September 4, 2024?

The clerk's minutes record that she was placed under oath and advised of her right to have the case presented to a federal grand jury, that the waiver of indictment filed on August 21, 2024 was re-executed in open court, and that the court found she willingly waived that right. Counsel asked to proceed with entry of a guilty plea; she consented to a U.S. Magistrate Judge conducting the plea hearing and entered a plea of guilty to counts one and two. Both sides waived the 14-day objection period to the report and recommendation and sentencing was left to the district judge.

What does the page show about representation and release?

The order accepting the waiver of indictment, entered September 4, 2024, finds that she knowingly, intelligently, voluntarily and freely waived indictment and consented to prosecution by information. The clerk's minutes record that the government's oral motion for bond was granted and she was released on personal recognizance; that her retained counsel moved orally to withdraw citing inability to pay, which the court granted; and that after questioning her under oath about her financial condition the court appointed the Office of the Federal Defender. A separate order of the same date appoints that office under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, and a limited notice of appearance filed September 5, 2024 records that the withdrawing attorney had appeared for the initial appearance and plea only.

Summary written from the documents on this page; every sentence is sourced.