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Probable cause found to charge 2 men in rape, sex abuse cases
Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo found probable cause yesterday to file charges against a man accused of raping a friend and another man who allegedly sexually abused a minor since she was 13 years old.
At a preliminary hearing, Govendo found probable cause to believe that 32-year-old Manolo Palencia Romolor may have committed sexual assault in the first degree and disturbing the peace. Arraignment will be on Dec. 5 at 9am.
A charge of assault and battery was later dropped at the motion of the government. That referred to allegations that Romolor got on top of the victim, who was asleep, and forcibly kissed her when she protested.
Assistant attorney general Betsy Weintraub, counsel for the government, called to the witness stand police detective John Anthony Hofschneider, who is in charge of the case.
Assistant public defender Tillman Clark served as counsel for Romolor.
At a separate preliminary hearing, Govendo found probable cause to believe that 39-year-old Ruben Atalig Corpuz Jr. may have committed three counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree. Arraignment will be on Dec. 5 at 9am.
Weintraub called to the stand police detective Vincent A. Igisaiar, who narrated their investigation that led to Corpuz’s arrest.
Assistant public defender Clark is counsel for Corpuz.
In the Romolor case, the defendant allegedly raped his drunken friend who fell asleep after a party at an apartment in Gualo Rai last Nov. 19.
In Corpuz’s case, a minor gave birth to a premature baby at the Commonwealth Health Center last Nov. 22 after she was allegedly sexually abused by the defendant since she was 13 years old in Kagman.
The victim is now 17 years old.
A bail of $100,000 cash each is currently imposed on Romolor and Corpuz.
