United States v. Herman Padilla

JOHN P. MOORE, Circuit Judge.

Herman Padilla appeals his convictions of two counts of possession of firearms by a felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. App. § 1202(a) and one count of possession of a firearm without a serial number in violation of 26 U.S.C. §§ 5861(i) and 5871. Defendant, who appeared pro se at his bench trial, contends his convictions must be reversed because the record fails to establish that he knowingly and intelligently waived his right to be represented by counsel. We conclude that because the trial court failed to ensure defendant was aware of the dangers and disadvantages of…