Man allegedly violates probation while on Saipan

A man who was convicted of aggravated identity theft in Texas and allowed to spend his probation on Saipan has been found to have used methamphetamine and marijuana while here.

This prompted U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona to summon Ronnie Sanchez last Monday to appear in court and show cause why his supervised release should not be revoked.

In his recommendation, U.S. Probation Office’s Gregory F. Arriola said that Sanchez admitted using methamphetamine or “ice” on June 1 and June 6, 2020. Arriola said Sanchez also admitted to smoking marijuana last June 2.

The probation officer said that Sanchez contacted him as instructed on June 4 and asked if there was a narcotics anonymous program that he could enroll in because he had used methamphetamine last June 1. Arriola said he instructed Sanchez to report to the U.S. Probation Office to further discuss the matter. Later that day, Arriola met with Sanchez, who explained that he had allegedly let his guard down after a family member offered him “ice.” Arriola said Sanchez expressed remorse and executed an admission of drug use form indicating he used “ice” last June 1 and used marijuana last June 2.

The probation officer said he commended Sanchez for his honesty and informed him that steps will be taken to enroll him in a substance abuse treatment.

Arriola also stuck a sweat patch on the defendant’s arm for further monitoring as well as to serve as a deterrent from further drug use. The probation officer said that Sanchez reported to the U.S. Probation Office for a random drug test and sweat patch removal last June 9. Arriola said he saw that the patch appeared to have been removed and then reapplied. He noticed that the absorbent pad was missing.

When asked if Sanchez had tampered with the device, he said no, saying it came off on its own. Arriola said that even after telling him that his explanation was implausible, Sanchez stuck to his story. Afterwards, Arriola said, Sanchez was subjected to a drug test and he tested presumptive positive for the use of “ice.” When confronted with the results, Sanchez explained that it may have been from his last admitted use.

When told that the drug should no longer to be in his system, Sanchez allegedly admitted that used “ice” last June 6 and executed an admission of drug use form.

In Texas, Sanchez pleaded guilty in June 2019 to identity theft. He was sentenced to two years in prison.