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Ex-convict found using opiates, gambling at poker arcade
The federal court has once again revoked the supervised release of an ex-convict whose probation had been revoked several times due to continued use of illegal drugs. This time, he admitted to another violation after being found gambling at a poker arcade and testing positive for opiates.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Senior Judge Alex R. Munson sentenced Steven Faisao Abal to 11 months imprisonment last week.
Munson, however, deferred the sentence for two months.
Abal was ordered to report to the U.S. Probation Office twice a week for drug testing during the two months of deferment.
If Abal tests positive during the two-month period, the sentence shall be imposed, the judge said.
Attorney Robert T. Torres is court-appointed counsel for Abal. Assistant U.S. attorney Russell Lorfing appeared for the U.S. government.
In a request for revocation, U.S. Probation Officer Gregory F. Arriola said that Abal tested positive for the use of opiates on Feb. 15, 2015, and that he also admitted entering a poker arcade to gamble.
Arriola said that when confronted with the positive drug test result, Abal denied using illegal drugs and stated that he only had taken Tylenol due to flu-like symptoms.
Arriola said that last Feb. 25, he received information that Abal was playing video poker in Garapan.
When confronted the following day, Abal admitted playing poker, Arriola said.
The probation officer reminded him that he was prohibited from accessing poker machines or any form of gambling device.
Abal was sentenced in October 2005 to 20 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine or “ice.”
