Man involved in sexual assault case released on bail

One of the four men who allegedly raped a woman last year was released on bail Wednesday.

Romeo Saimon, 43, was released on bail yesterday after his father and mother offered one of their properties as property bond.

The property was originally meant to be given as bail for one of the other men involved in the case but it did not happen.

The property was appraised at a value of $132,000.

Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio ordered that Saimon be released immediately after all required documents were filed with the court.

Saimon will be released to a third-party custodian who identified herself as his niece.

Saimon is set for a status conference on March 19.

Saimon along with Richmond Ray Keybond, 18, Christopher Aquino Saimon, 38, and Joseph Aquino Saimon, 42, were arrested on July 2018 for raping the same victim.

According to a previous article on Saipan Tribune, Saimon was held on charges of sexual assault in the first degree and sexual assault in the second degree. His son, Keybond, was held on two counts of sexual assault in the first degree.

Romeo’s brother, Christopher Saimon, was held on one count of sexual assault in the first degree. Romeo’s other brother, Joseph Saimon, was charged with sexual assault in the first degree, kidnapping, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to police detective Wally Emul Jr., the alleged victim reported that on June 24, 2018, she was drinking with Romeo Saimon, Christopher Saimon, and Keybond because she had an argument with her former boyfriend, Joseph Saimon.

Emul said the victim reported that she was drunk and that the next thing she remembers was she was in the bedroom and Romeo Saimon was on top of her.

She said she passed out and later saw Keybond on top of her. She said she also saw Christopher Aquino on top of her and that she passed out. Romeo Aquino and Keybond allegedly sexually assaulted her twice.

She told police that she did not consent to have sex with the three suspects.

Emul stated that according to Romeo Saimon, the alleged victim was going through an argument with Joseph Saimon and joined them at a drinking session at their house.

Romeo Saimon denied he touched the complainant. He stated that he brought her into her room, laid her on the bed, and then left the room.

Emul said according to Keybond, he was drinking with the alleged victim and noticed she had an argument with Joseph Saimon.

Keybond said his father, Romeo Saimon, took the alleged victim into her room because she was too drunk and vomited on herself.

Keybond said his father, Romeo, took a while to come back and when he opened the door he saw him on top of her.

He said his father told him to close the door and leave. He said she appeared to be asleep.

Keybond said he left the room, but later went back and had sex with her. He said he then heard Joseph Saimon’s car pulling into the house.

Keybond said Joseph Saimon asked what he was doing in the room. Joseph Saimon found his girlfriend naked, came out from the room and punched Keybond on the face. Joseph Saimon left the house.

Emul said Christopher Saimon stated said he saw both Romeo and Keybond go into the room where the alleged victim was sleeping.

Christopher Saimon said he peeked into the room and saw Romeo Saimon on top of her and later also saw Keybond having sex with her.

Christopher Saimon said Keybond told him to have sex with her. Christopher Saimon admitted he too had sex with the complainant.

Christopher Saimon said Romeo Saimon and Keybond went back to the room and had sex with the complainant again.