Man gets 46-month prison term for ‘ice’ conspiracy

A man was slapped with a 46-month prison term yesterday in federal court for conspiracy to sell methamphetamine or “ice” on Saipan.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona gave defendant Zhao Sheng Zeng credit for time served.

Zeng, 43, has been in prison for 326 days as of yesterday.

“The severity of this crime justifies this term of imprisonment,” Manglona said.

The judge said she was inclined to impose higher prison term but considered Zeng’s personal background and acceptance of responsibility.

Zeng has no prior criminal history. He has a 12-year-old son on Saipan and another child in China. He also maintained that he is never an “ice” user.

After completing the prison term, Zeng will be placed on three years of supervised release. During the supervised release, he shall surrender to immigration for deportation proceedings.

Zeng was required to pay a $100 special assessment fee.

Manglona said her previous order is now final with respect to the forfeiture to the U.S. government about defendant’s $7,900 in the form of a personal money judgment as a result of the defendant’s entering a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Before the sentencing was handed down, Zeng, through an interpreter, apologized for the crime that he committed.

“I admit I was wrong. I’m really sorry to the U.S. government and to the court,” Zeng said. “I will never commit mistake again in the future.”

Assistant U.S. attorney Ross Naughton recommended a sentence of 46 months, which is the lowest end of the sentencing guidelines pursuant to the plea agreement.

Naughton filed in court authorities’ photo of Zeng when he was counting $4,000 cash during a drug transaction on June 19, 2013.

Naughton said Zeng is not a minor participant in the conspiracy considering the enormous amount of cash involved.

Court-appointed counsel David G. Banes recommended a sentence of 36 to 40 months in prison and a credit for time served.

Banes said the defendant has no criminal history, has provided assistance to authorities in the investigation, has no education, and has two children.

Manglona granted the prosecution’s motion to dismiss the remaining three charges of distribution of methamphetamine.

Federal agents arrested Zeng on July 29, 2014 after the indictment was filed.

According to the indictment, from May 9, 2013 through June 19, 2013, Zeng intentionally conspired with persons to distribute “ice.”

Zeng also allegedly intentionally distributed “ice” on May 9, 16, and 19, 2013.