Three hostage takers sent to federal prison

Three inmates who participated in the March 7 prison takeover were sentenced yesterday to federal prison terms ranging from 10 to 21 years.

The jail terms for Vicente Aldan, Sheldon Yano and Edwin Blas varied according to the level of their participation in the infamous hostage-taking incident, US Asst. Atty. David Wood said.

District Court Judge Alex Munson sentenced Aldan to 21 years behind bars, Blas to 15 years; and Yano, 10 years.

They will soon be sent to a federal prison in the mainland.

“The defendants were sentenced within the range of recommendations in the plea agreement,” Wood said.

Each of the three convicts can earn a 52-day credit for good behavior while in prison but they cannot hope to be granted parole as it is not available in the federal penal system, Wood added.

Aldan, Yano and Blas had pled guilty to hostage-taking, possession of firearm, and conspiracy to bring a firearm into the detention cell. They had stolen a Smith& Wesson gun from the jail’s security locker.

The three, along with several others, were charged as a result of the 14-hour drama at the detention center in Susupe, where siege leaders terrorized their fellow inmates by firing a gun and holding some of them hostage. It was also reported that one of the inmates was sodomized.

“They were basically charged with the same crimes, but some have received shorter jail terms because of the mid-level degree of their participation,” Wood said. “Mr. Yano got the least severe punishment because he was pretty much in the periphery.”

Wood said although the defendants provided substantial assistance during investigation, Munson justified the long years of prison term to discourage anyone from repeating the convicts’ actions.

“The judge saw the need to send a message to anybody who might be thinking of committing the same crime that there are significant punishments for such actions,” Wood said.

Last month, Munson sent the prisone tkaeover leader William Sablan to 21 years in federal prison. The fourth convict, Arcel Busto, is set to be sentenced today. Also awaiting sentence in connection with the same offense is Ryan Babauta.

“The sentencing is the culmination of investigation that involved FBI, DEA, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the local police and other law enforcement agencies,” Wood said. (MCM)