Hearings start for 12 felons applying for parole

The CNMI Board of Parole has started the hearings for 12 convicted men and women who are applying for early release at the Vicente T. Seman Department of Corrections facility.

According to chief parole officer Nick Reyes, the CNMI Board of Parole heard statements from six of the 12 convicted individuals who are eligible and applying for early release. The board also heard arguments from the government, statements from friends and families of the parole applicants, and members of the community who oppose the release of these individuals.

Reyes said the board will hear the remaining parole applicants throughout the week with the parole hearings set to conclude on July 16 with the board granting or denying early release to the applicants.

Also, on July 16, the board will hold a clemency hearing for Price Shoiter, an individual charged with sexual abuse of a minor, at DOC. Then, at 1pm, the board will hold a pardon hearing for Isidro Reyes Lizama, charged with “ice” trafficking, at their office on Capital Hill.

Of the 12 convicts, seven were imprisoned for drug-related cases while the remaining five were involved in violent burglaries and robberies.

The parole applicants include; Huang Rui Jun (“ice” trafficking), Liao Guofeng (“ice” trafficking), Xiao Ping Wang (“ice” trafficking), Ronnie San Nicolas (“ice” trafficking) Paul Anthony Lizama (“ice” trafficking), Felisha Ann Basa (attempted murder, aggravated assault and battery, robbery, and kidnapping), Daniel M. Quitugua (impersonating a police officer, theft), Artemia Gabayero (robbery), Benjamin Lee (burglary), Julian Sablan (burglary, theft), Benigno Sablan (theft), and Juan Tydingco (arrested for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, speeding, and reckless driving).

Of the convicted felons, one of most notorious of the group is habitual offender Benjamin Lee. Chief Prosecutor John Bradley of the Office of the Attorney General stated that the prosecution strongly opposes parole for Lee, as he committed violent crimes. Bradley added that Lee applied for early release just six months ago and was denied and reconsideration of parole should not occur so quickly.

“The sentencing judge found that Lee is manipulative, and incapable of following the law. This parole board has very recently denied early release. Given these aggravating circumstances, the parole board should deny Lee any early release,” he said.

According to court documents, Lee needed a cellphone to arrange a drug deal so he stole a phone from a bystander. When the bystander attempted to jump into the driver’s side window to retrieve the phone, Lee dragged him along the road.

The burglary occurred while Lee was on bail for a case where he entered a home while a woman and her children were there and stole a bag from the table.