United States v. Cruz

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• Decided: June 1, 2026
• Docket: 25-40637
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

Case: 25-40637 Document: 63-1 Page: 1 Date Filed: 06/01/2026

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ____________ United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit No. 25-40637 Summary Calendar FILED June 1, 2026 ____________ Lyle W. Cayce United States of America, Clerk

Plaintiff—Appellee,

versus

Adolfo Cruz,

Defendant—Appellant. ______________________________

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas USDC No. 9:24-CR-12-1 ______________________________

Before Richman, Southwick, and Willett, Circuit Judges. Per Curiam:* Adolfo Cruz pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machinegun. He contends that his guilty plea was not knowing and voluntary because the requirements of Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11 were not followed at his rearraignment hearing. Because Cruz did not object to the sufficiency of

_____________________ * This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5th Cir. R. 47.5. Case: 25-40637 Document: 63-1 Page: 2 Date Filed: 06/01/2026

No. 25-40637

the district court’s Rule 11 admonishments, our review is for plain error. See United States v. Vonn, 535 U.S. 55, 59 (2002). Cruz argues that he was not sufficiently informed of the nature of the charged offense. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(b)(1)(G). However, Cruz has not shown Rule 11 error because the colloquy at rearraignment was sufficient for a reasonable person to believe that he understood the nature of the charge. See United States v. Santiago, 96 F.4th 834, 843-44 (5th Cir. 2024), cert. denied, 146 S. Ct. 624 (2025). Moreover, Cruz argues that he was not informed about any applicable forfeiture. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(b)(1)(J). The record reflects that Cruz was not advised at rearraignment that forfeiture might be part of his sentence. However, on plain error review, Cruz must show an effect on his substantial rights by establishing a reasonable probability that, but for the error, he would not have pleaded guilty. See United States v. Dominguez Benitez, 542 U.S. 74, 83 (2004). Cruz has not contended, much less shown, that he can satisfy this prong of plain error review and thus has failed to make the necessary showing. See id.; United States v. Lavalais, 960 F.3d 180, 186 (5th Cir. 2020). Finally, Cruz asserts that he was not told about the mandatory special assessment of $100. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(b)(1)(L). Even if he was not sufficiently advised that the special assessment was required, he has failed to demonstrate reversible plain error. See Lavalais, 960 F.3d at 186. Cruz has not alleged or established that the error affected his substantial rights. See Dominguez Benitez, 542 U.S. at 83. AFFIRMED.