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Date: 09-22-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 4:20-cr-00170-HFS
Judge: Howard F. Sacks
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri (Jackson County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Kansas City, MO: Criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with carjacking.
Maricela Delores Lozano, 21, was charged with one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
By pleading guilty today, Lozano admitted that she used a Century Arms Draco AK 47-style 9mm pistol during the theft of a Nissan Altima on July 19, 2020.
Lozano approached the owner of the Altima, who was attempting to start her vehicle to leave the parking garage of the Country Club Plaza, at about 5:48 p.m. on July 19, 2020. Lozano brandished the AK 47-style pistol, pointed it at the victim, and demanded her keys and cell phone. The victim complied and walked away from the vehicle to a nearby business and used their phone to call the police.
Lozano later told investigators that she got into the driver’s seat and attempted to start the vehicle, but the ignition was a “push to start,” which confused Lozano because she had never encountered such technology. Once Lozano was able to start the vehicle, she drove out of the parking garage. Lozano stole a license plate from a Chevrolet sport utility vehicle and attached it to the Nissan.
Lozano, who was standing beside the stolen vehicle, was spotted by a Missouri State Highway Patrol corporal in a driveway in Fulton, Missouri, on July 21, 2020. When the officer drove toward her, she got into the vehicle and attempted to flee. The officer stopped the vehicle and arrested Lozano and a male passenger. The officer seized the loaded firearm from the floorboard behind the driver’s seat.
Under federal statutes, Lozano is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Marquez. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the FBI.
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT - CARJACKING
(1)
VIOLENT CRIME/DRUGS/MACHINE GUN
(2)
Outcome: 09/22/2021 31 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Howard F. Sachs: CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING held on 9/22/2021. Plea entered as to Maricela Delores Lozano (1).
All parties appear by videoconference. There were no objections by counsel or Ms. Lozano to the change of plea hearing proceeding by videoconference. The Court summarizes nature of charges, maximum punishment under the law, procedural rights and rights to trial by jury. Factual basis for entering plea discussed by Court. Plea agreement discussed. Defendant pleads guilty to Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment. Defendant sworn and questioned by the Court. Defense counsel summarizes facts alleged. Defendant found competent to plead. Factual basis established. Guilty plea accepted by the Court as being entered freely and voluntarily. Presentence investigation report ordered. Defendant remains on bond until further order of the Court and is subject to conditions of release.
Counsel appearing for USA: Joseph Marquez. Counsel appearing for Defendant: Kevin Wichman. Pretrial/Probation Officer: Brant Bruner. Time in court: 11:00 to 11:37. To order a transcript of this hearing please contact Gayle Wambolt, 816-512-5641, gayle_wambolt@mow.uscourts.gov. This is a TEXT ONLY ENTRY. No document is attached. (Nolte, Melissa) (Entered: 09/22/2021)
09/22/2021 32 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Maricela Delores Lozano. (Nolte, Melissa) (Entered: 09/22/2021)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
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