Request to modify $100K cash bail is denied

Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho denied Friday a bid to modify a $100,000 cash bail imposed on a graduate of the CNMI Drug Court Program who was recently re-arrested for allegedly trafficking in methamphetamine.

In a separate hearing Friday, Camacho also denied a motion to modify the $100,000 cash bail imposed on another defendant, Marwin Borja Camacho, who was re-arrested recently for trafficking in methamphetamine. He was represented Friday by David G. Banes.

Assistant attorney general Chester Hinds appeared for the government in the case against both Joseph Torres White and Marwin Camacho.

In refusing to modify White’s bail, Associate Judge Joseph A. Camacho noted the seriousness of the charges against White, and pointed out that he is a graduate of the CNMI Drug Court Program.

No information was provided as to when White graduate from the Drug Court Program.

Joseph Camacho said the court needs more information and conditions in the request for bail modification.

White, 28, was remanded into the custody of the Department of Corrections after the hearing.

White waived his right for a preliminary hearing and will be arraigned on Sept. 9.

The Office of the Attorney General charged White with one count of trafficking of a controlled substance for allegedly selling methamphetamine last Feb. 1 on Saipan.

According to Drug Enforcement Task Force, a “cooperating source” disclosed that White is actively distributing meth or “ice” and is known to be one of the main sources of meth on Saipan.

White allegedly sold 0.1 gross gram of meth to a “cooperating source” of the task force during a “buy walk” operation at a parking lot of a poker establishment in San Jose last Feb. 1.

DETF officers arrested White last Feb. 20. White then agreed to assist law enforcers in the investigation of drug activities. In exchange, law enforcers agreed to release him subject to certain conditions.

DETF said that White stopped communicating with them and helping law enforcement, which violates his agreement. This prompted the government to request the court to revoke the agreement and re-arrest White.

In Marwin Camacho’s case, Joseph Camacho denied defense counsel Tiandouwa Yuan’s motion to allow the defendant to be released to his father and girlfriend, who will serve as third-party custodians upon posting a $10,000 property bond.

Joseph Camacho noted that the defendant had multiple past criminal cases and requires more supervision. The judge said the defendant needs another third-party custodian in addition to his father.

Marwin Camacho waived his right to a preliminary hearing; his arraignment will be on Sept. 9. After the hearing, he was remanded into the custody of DOC.

The OAG charged Marwin Camacho with trafficking of a controlled substance for allegedly selling meth on Oct. 22, 2018, on Saipan.

According to the DETF, a “cooperating source” disclosed that Marwin Camacho is involved in drug distribution in Chalan Kanoa.

Marwin Camacho allegedly agreed to sell 0.2 gross grams of “ice” worth $100 to the “cooperating source” during a buy-walk operation on Oct. 22, 2018, on Saipan.

Marwin Camacho, however, allegedly sent Paul Anthony Lizama to hand over the meth to the “cooperating source” along As Perdido Road in Chalan Piao/Chalan Kanoa.

DETF officers arrested Marwin Camacho that same day. He, however, agreed to assist law enforcement in the investigation of drug activities. He was released subject to some conditions.

The government, however, asked the court to revoke his release and re-arrest him for allegedly not providing substantial assistance and accurate information to law enforcers. He was recently re-arrested.