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US govt files first cyberstalking case in CNMI
Federal agents arrested in Dandan last Thursday a man who was charged with cyberstalking, the first such criminal case filed in the CNMI.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona issued on Thursday an arrest warrant for Brian Tebuteb Palacios after a federal grand jury indicted him that same day with one count of cyberstalking.
According to the indictment, between April 19 and Sept. 15, 2015, Palacios used the Internet to disseminate harassing and threatening messages against the victim, placing that person and the spouse in fear of death and of serious bodily injury and causing substantial emotional distress to the victim and the victim’s spouse.
No other details were given in the indictment.
Palacios was taken to U.S. District Court for the NMI on Friday for his initial court appearance. After the hearing, he was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshal.
Steven Pixley was appointed as his court-appointed counsel.
Special assistant U.S. attorney Mohammad Khatib was allowed to appear telephonically at the hearing.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Florence T. Nakakuni made the request to allow Khatib to appear via telephone for the initial appearance and arraignment.
