Order — U.S. v. Thomas Aaron Signorelli (N.D. Cal.)

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An order re motion to dismiss pursuant to Brady in United States of America v. Thomas Aaron Signorelli, Case No. 24-cr-00516-JD-1, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, filed May 22, 2026 as Document 92 by United States District Judge James Donato. Signorelli asked to dismiss the information over alleged violations of the government's disclosure obligations under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) (Dkt. No. 85), and the government opposed. The order recites that on November 25, 2024 Signorelli pleaded guilty to Counts One through Seven under a plea agreement that waived constitutional or legal challenges to the conviction, and has not asked to withdraw the pleas. Because Brady is the sole basis of the request, the motion is denied.

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                                          Case 3:24-cr-00516-JD          Document 92      Filed 05/22/26      Page 1 of 2




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                                   4                                   UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

                                   5                                  NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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                                   7     UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,                         Case No. 24-cr-00516-JD-1
                                                         Plaintiff,
                                   8
                                                                                           ORDER RE MOTION TO DISMISS
                                                  v.                                       PURSUANT TO BRADY
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                                  10     THOMAS AARON SIGNORELLI,
                                                         Defendant.
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                                  12



 United States District Court
                                  13          Defendant Thomas Signorelli asks to dismiss the information filed against him for alleged

                                  14   violations by the government of its obligations to disclose materials as required by Brady v.

                                  15   Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963). Dkt. No. 85. The government opposes dismissal. Dkt. No. 88.



Northern District of California
                                  16   Dismissal is denied.

                                  17          The reasons for the denial are straightforward. On November 25, 2024, well before asking

                                  18   for dismissal, Signorelli pleaded guilty to Counts One through Seven in the Information pursuant

                                  19   to a plea agreement. Dkt. Nos. 9, 11. The Court accepted the plea agreement and the guilty pleas

                                  20   after a lengthy inquiry into Signorelli’s knowing and voluntary intention to plead guilty. Dkt.

                                  21   No. 21. Signorelli has not asked to withdraw the guilty pleas or set aside the plea agreement. At a

                                  22   prior hearing at which the alleged Brady violations were discussed, Signorelli affirmatively

                                  23   disclaimed any intention of doing so. Dkt. No. 35 at 4:6-13. The plea agreement and his guilty

                                  24   pleas remain in full effect.

                                  25          This circumstance effectively bars the dismissal he requests. Signorelli’s plea agreement

                                  26   expressly states that he understands he waived “any and all constitutional or legal challenges to

                                  27   [his] conviction and guilty plea.” Dkt. No. 9 ¶ 4. “[A] defendant who pleads guilty generally

                                  28   cannot later raise independent claims of constitutional violations.” Sanchez v. United States, 50
                                         Case 3:24-cr-00516-JD         Document 92          Filed 05/22/26    Page 2 of 2




                                   1   F.3d 1448, 1453 (9th Cir. 1995) (citation omitted). To be sure, “a defendant challenging the

                                   2   voluntariness of a guilty plea may assert a Brady claim.” Id.; see also Parker v. County of

                                   3   Riverside, 78 F.4th 1109, 1113 (9th Cir. 2023). But Signorelli has elected not to challenge the

                                   4   voluntariness of his guilty pleas by asking to withdraw them, and has not asked to set aside, or

                                   5   withdraw from, the plea agreement.

                                   6          Consequently, Signorelli cannot assert a claim for non-disclosure of Brady materials.

                                   7   Because Brady is the sole basis of his dismissal request, Dkt. No. 85, the motion is denied.

                                   8          IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                   9   Dated: May 22, 2026

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                                                                                                    JAMES DONATO
                                  12                                                                United States District Judge



 United States District Court
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Northern District of California
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