Number of minors used for crimes rising

Superior Court Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama has expressed concern over the rising number of crimes where adult offenders use minors to accomplish their intended offenses.

Lizama said some adult offenders, aware of the relatively lighter juvenile sentences, rely on minors to commit their crimes.

“The court considers such predatory behavior to be a serious risk to society,” said the judge.

Lizama expressed his concern on the issue of adult defendants serving as accessory to minors in his order denying 35-year-old James Sanchez’s motion to reduce the $100,000 cash bail for his temporary liberty.

Sanchez is charged with theft, burglary, conspiracy to commit theft and burglary, and accessory after the fact.

The accessory after the fact charge alleges that Sanchez assisted a 16-year-old boy in order to prevent the minor’s apprehension, trial, or punishment.

Sanchez had asked that his bail be modified.

In denying the motion, Lizama said that Sanchez has not presented him with “good cause” justifying the bail modification.

Lizama said the bail hearing judge, who was in the best position to consider the gravity of the charges, set bail at $100,000.

The judge noted that the determination of whether to modify the bond in a case is within the trial court’s discretion and is reviewable only for abuse.

“In light of the nature and circumstances of the alleged crimes, the court declines to grant defendant’s motion,” he said.

Court records show that Sanchez, Athen Aquino Remarii, 26, and the juvenile were arrested by the police last month for allegedly trying to murder a house owner during a foiled burglary at a residence in San Vicente in July 2006.

Superior Court Associate Judge Ramona V. Manglona imposed a 100,000 cash bail for the temporary release of Sanchez and Remarii.

The case against the juvenile was sealed.

A police detective stated in his report filed in court that on July 3 at 12:54pm, the victim received a call from Guam about an activated alarm at his house.

When the victim returned to his residence through the back door, he saw the juvenile standing on one of the first floor windows of the house.

The victim shouted at the juvenile, who then climbed down. He held the suspect, but the latter struggled, pulled a knife and stabbed him repeatedly.

The victim was taken to the Commonwealth Health Center due to multiple stab wounds and lacerations. After being treated, he was released from the hospital.