Report and Recommendation on Rule 11(c)(1)(B) Change of Plea Hearing, United States of America v. Janelle Irene Fe Cooney, Case 3:24-cr-00006, Document 263, District of Puerto Rico

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Report and Recommendation on a Rule 11(c)(1)(B) change of plea hearing in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Case 3:24-cr-00006-ADC-MDM, Document 263, filed 12/02/24, in United States v. Janelle Irene Fe Cooney. Fe Cooney, charged on January 16, 2024 in a thirty-one count indictment, agreed under a Plea and Forfeiture Agreement to plead guilty to Counts Twelve and Thirteen, wire fraud under Title 18, United States Code, §§ 1343 & 2 tied to false applications for PPP funds. After the hearing on November 26, 2024, the magistrate judge found Fe Cooney competent and the plea intelligent and voluntary, and recommended that the Court accept it and adjudge Fe Cooney guilty on both counts. The report is signed s/Giselle López-Soler, United States Magistrate Judge, on 2nd day of December 2024.

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Case 3:24-cr-00006-ADC-MDM Document 263 Filed 12/02/24 Page 1 of 7

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff, Criminal No. 24-006 (ADC)

JANELLE IRENE FE COONEY,
Defendant.

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
ON RULE 11(c)(1)(B) CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING

I. Procedural Background
On January 16, 2024, Defendant Janelle Irene Fe Cooney was charged by a Grand Jury in
a thirty-one count indictment. Defendant agrees to plead guilty to Counts Twelve and Thirteen of
the Indictment.
Counts Twelve and Thirteen of the Indictment charge that, from in or about April 2020,
through the return of the Indictment, in the District of Puerto Rico, and elsewhere, the defendant,
Janelle Irene Fe Cooney, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, aiding and abetting
one another, knowingly devised, and intended to devise, a scheme and artifice to defraud the
United States Small Business Administration and Bank 1, and to obtain money and property by
means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, by submitting
and causing to be submitted false and fraudulent applications for PPP funds. All in violation of
Title 18, United States Code, §§ 1343 & 2.
On November 12, 2024, Defendant moved for a change of plea. Docket No. 218. The
United States of America and Defendant entered into a Plea and Forfeiture Agreement. Docket
No. 254. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Defendant agreed to plead guilty to Counts Twelve and
Thirteen of the Indictment but also agreed that Defendant would be held accountable for wire fraud
that does not affect a financial institution or occur in relation to, or involve any benefit authorized,
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USA v. Fe Cooney
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Report and Recommendation on Guilty Plea

transported, transmitted, transferred, disbursed, or paid in connection with, a presidentially
declared major disaster or emergency. On November 26, 2024, Defendant appeared before this
Court for a change of plea hearing pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
See United States v. Woodward, 387 F. 3d. 1329 (11th Cir. 2004) (holding that a magistrate judge
may, with the defendant’s consent, conduct a Rule 11 change of plea hearing). Defendant was
advised of the purpose of the hearing and placed under oath with instructions that her answers
must be truthful because she could otherwise be charged with perjury.
II. Consent to Proceed Before a Magistrate Judge
Defendant was advised of her right to hold all proceedings, including this change of plea
hearing, before a district court judge. An explanation of the differences between the scope of
jurisdiction and functions of a district judge and a magistrate judge was provided. Defendant was
informed that, if she elects to proceed before a magistrate judge, the magistrate judge would
conduct the hearing and prepare a report and recommendation, subject to the review and approval
of the district judge.
Defendant was provided with a Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury, which she signed prior to
the hearing. Docket No. 253. Defendant validated her signature and informed that her attorney had
explained the document before signing the same. The Court found that Defendant voluntarily
consented to proceed before a magistrate judge and approved Defendant’s consent.
III. Proceedings Under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure governs the acceptance of guilty pleas
to federal criminal violations. Pursuant to Rule 11, for a plea of guilty to constitute a valid waiver
of the defendant’s right to trial, the guilty plea must be knowing and voluntary. United States v.
Hernández Wilson, 186 F. 3d 1, 5 (1st Cir. 1999). “Rule 11 was intended to ensure that a defendant
who pleads guilty does so with an ‘understanding of the nature of the charge and consequences of
his plea’”. United States v. Cotal-Crespo, 47 F. 3d 1, 4 (1st Cir. 1995) (quoting McCarthy v. United
States, 394 U. S. 459, 467 (1969)). There are three core concerns in a Rule 11 proceeding: 1)
absence of coercion; 2) understanding of the charges; and 3) knowledge of the consequences of
the guilty plea.

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USA v. Fe Cooney
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A. Competence to Enter a Guilty Plea
The Court questioned Defendant about her age, education, history of any treatment for
mental illness or addiction, use of any medication, drugs or alcohol, and her understanding of the
purpose of the hearing, to ascertain her capacity to understand, answer and comprehend the change
of plea colloquy. The Court confirmed that Defendant received the Indictment and fully discussed
the charges with her attorney, and that she was satisfied with the advice and representation she
received. The Court further inquired whether Defendant’s counsel or counsel for the Government
had any reservations as to Defendant’s competence to plead, receiving answers that Defendant was
competent to enter a plea. After considering Defendant’s responses, and observing her demeanor,
the Court found that Defendant was competent to plead and fully aware of the purpose of the
hearing.
B. Plea Agreement
Defendant was shown her plea agreement, including the stipulation of facts, and she
identified her initials and signatures. Defendant confirmed that she had the opportunity to read and
discuss the plea agreement and plea agreement supplement with her attorney, that her attorney
explained both the plea agreement and the plea agreement supplement before she signed the
documents, that the plea agreement represented the entirety of her understanding with the
Government, that she understood the terms of the plea agreement and plea agreement supplement,
and that no one had made any other or different promises or assurances to induce her to plead
guilty. Counsel for the Government described the essential terms of the plea agreement, including
stipulations pertaining to the Sentencing Guidelines and any sentencing recommendations.
Counsel for the defense agreed with the Government’s description of the terms and
recommendations, and so did Defendant.
Defendant was then admonished, pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure
11(c)(1)(B), that the terms of the plea agreement are mere recommendations to the Court, and that
the District Judge who will preside over the sentencing hearing can reject the recommendations
without permitting her to withdraw her guilty plea. And that the District Judge could impose a
sentence that is more severe than what Defendant might anticipate. Defendant expressed full
understanding of the foregoing and confirmed that she was aware that, if the District Judge does

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not follow the recommendations in the plea agreement, she will not be allowed to withdraw her
plea of guilty if she receives a sentence that is higher than expected.
C. Voluntariness
In considering the plea agreement, Defendant acknowledged that the plea agreement
contains all the promises and agreements that she made with the Government and that no one made
any other or different promise or assurance of any kind in exchange for her guilty plea, other than
the recommendations set forth in the plea agreement. Defendant indicated that she was not being
induced to plead guilty, that she was entering such plea freely and voluntarily because in fact she
is guilty, and that no one has threatened her or offered a thing of value in exchange for her plea.
Defendant understood that the offenses to which she is pleading guilty are felonies and that, if the
plea is accepted, she will be adjudged guilty of the offenses, and that such adjudication may deprive
her of valuable civil rights, such as the right to vote in a federal election, the right to hold public
office, the right to serve on a jury, and the right to possess a firearm.
Throughout the hearing, Defendant was free to consult with her attorney or to seek
clarification from the Court. She confirmed that her agreement to plead guilty was made knowingly
and voluntarily.
D. Maximum Penalties
Defendant expressed her understanding of the statutory maximum penalties for the offenses
to which she was pleading guilty. The maximum statutory penalties for Counts Twelve and
Thirteen of the Indictment are a term of imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) years, a fine not
to exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000.00), and a term of supervised release of not more than
five (5) years. However, because the Defendant has agreed to be held accountable for wire fraud
that does not affect a financial institution or occur in relation to, or involve any benefit authorized,
transported, transmitted, transferred, disbursed, or paid in connection with, a presidentially
declared major disaster or emergency, the applicable penalties are a term of imprisonment of not
more than twenty (20) years, a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty thousand dollars
($250,000.00), and a supervised release term of not more than three (3) years. In addition, a Special
Monetary Assessment of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per count of conviction would be imposed,
to be deposited to the Criminal Victims Fund pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section
3013(a). Defendant indicated that she understood the maximum penalties for Counts Twelve and

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Thirteen of the Indictment, that the offenses charged are felonies, and the potential consequences
of the guilty plea, such as the deprivation of certain valuable rights.
The Court then explained the nature of supervised release and the consequences of
violating the conditions of supervised release. Specifically, Defendant was informed that, if
supervised release is revoked, she may be required to serve an additional term of imprisonment up
to the full term of supervised release originally imposed by the Court. And that, if she is currently
on supervised release in a different case, her plea of guilty, if accepted, could result in negative
consequences, such as the revocation of her supervised release in that other case. The Court further
advised Defendant that in certain cases the Court may also order, or be required to order, that
Defendant pay restitution to any victim of the offense, and the Court may also require her to forfeit
certain property to the Government, as agreed in her plea agreement. Defendant was also informed
that any sentence imposed in this case could be imposed to run concurrently or consecutively to
any sentence she may be currently serving in another case.
E. Sentencing Procedure
Defendant was informed that, in determining her sentence, the District Judge is required to
consider, but not necessarily follow, the Sentencing Guidelines. Defendant confirmed that she
discussed with her attorney how the Sentencing Guidelines might apply to this case. Defendant
was specifically informed that the Court, after considering the applicable Sentencing Guidelines,
could impose a sentence different from any estimate in the plea agreement or provided by her
attorney, and that the Court had the authority to impose a sentence that is more severe or less severe
than the sentence called for by the Sentencing Guidelines. Defendant was advised, and informed
to have understood, that the Sentencing Guidelines are considered advisory, and that during
sentencing the District Court will consider the sentencing criteria found at Title 18, United States
Code, Section 3553(a), which include the seriousness of the offenses, the need for deterrence of
criminal conduct, the need to protect the public from further crimes, the need to provide Defendant
with educational or vocational training, or medical care, and the need to provide restitution to any
victims.
Defendant was advised that parole has been abolished and that, if she is sentenced to prison,
she will not be released on parole. Further, Defendant was advised of her right to appeal and that,
under some circumstances, she or the Government may have the right to appeal the sentence

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imposed by the Court. But that, pursuant to her plea agreement, she is waiving her right to appeal
both the judgment and sentence imposed by the Court, if the Court accepts her plea agreement and
sentences her to two (2) years of probation or less. Defendant informed that she understood her
right to appeal and that she voluntarily agreed to this waiver.
F. Waiver of Constitutional Rights
Defendant was specifically advised that she has the right to persist in a plea of not guilty
and that, if she does, she has the right to a speedy trial by jury, or trial before a judge sitting without
a jury if the Court and the Government agree; that at trial she would be presumed innocent and the
Government would have to prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; that she would have the
right to the assistance of counsel for her defense, and that, if she could not afford one, an attorney
would be appointed to represent her through all stages of the proceedings; that at trial she would
have the right to hear and cross examine all witnesses, the right to issue subpoenas or to compel
the attendance of witnesses to testify at trial, and the right to testify or to remain silent. Defendant
was further advised that if she decided not to testify or put on evidence at trial, the failure to do so
could not be used against her, and that at trial the jury would have to return a unanimous verdict
before she could be found guilty or not guilty.
Defendant specifically acknowledged understanding these rights. She reaffirmed her
understanding that by entering a plea of guilty there would be no trial and she would be waiving
or giving up the rights that the Court explained.
G. Offenses Charged and Factual Basis for the Guilty Plea
Defendant was read in open court Counts Twelve and Thirteen of the Indictment and was
provided an explanation of technical terms used in the Indictment. Defendant was also provided
an explanation of the elements of the offenses. Defendant expressed that she understood the
charges in Counts Twelve and Thirteen and the elements of the offenses, and what the Government
would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt if she were to go to trial.
The Government explained the factual basis for the offenses and the evidence it would
present if this case were to proceed to trial. Upon questioning, Defendant admitted to the facts,
constituting all the elements of the offenses charged. Defendant admitted that she was pleading
guilty because she is in fact guilty. Defendant pled guilty as to Counts Twelve and Thirteen of the
Indictment.

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IV. Conclusion
Defendant appeared before me, by consent, pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of
Criminal Procedures and entered a plea of guilty as to Counts Twelve and Thirteen of the
Indictment.
After cautioning and examining Defendant under oath and in open court concerning each
of the subject matters in Rule 11, the Court finds that the defendant, Janelle Irene Fe Cooney, is
fully competent and capable of entering this guilty plea, is aware of the nature of the charges and
the maximum statutory penalty they carry, understands that the charges are supported by evidence
and a basis in fact, has admitted to the facts and the elements of the offenses, and has done so in
an intelligent and voluntary manner with knowledge of the consequences of her guilty plea.
I recommend that the Court accept the guilty plea and that Defendant be adjudged guilty
as to Counts Twelve and Thirteen of the Indictment.
IT IS SO RECOMMENDED.
This Report and Recommendation is issued pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Rule
72 (d) of the Local Rules of this Court. Any objections to the same must be specific and must be
filed within fourteen (14) days of its receipt. Failure to file timely and specific objections to the
Report and Recommendation is a waiver of the right to review by the District Judge. United States
v. Valencia-Copete, 792 F. 2d 4 (1st Cir. 1986).
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled by the presiding judge, Hon. Aida M. Delgado-
Colón.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, this 2nd day of December 2024.

s/Giselle López-Soler
GISELLE LÓPEZ-SOLER
United States Magistrate Judge

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