United States v. Savinon-Acosta

BOUDIN, Circuit Judge.

This appeal concerns the validity of a guilty plea challenged for the first time on appeal. On March 24, 1999, Juan Savi-non-Acosta, the defendant-appellant in this case, was indicted, along with co-defendant Miguel Piantini, for drug dealing. Both defendants were charged, in two counts, with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute it, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (1994), and with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, id. § 846. The background events out of which the indictment arose are virtually undisputed.

In February 1999, Savinon-Acosta agreed to supply five kilograms of…