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Man who stole gun of DEA agent pleads guilty
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Posted on Apr 27 2000
A Saipan man pled guilty yesterday before the U.S. District Court on a charge of possession of a firearm which he stole from a drug enforcement agent in a vehicular accident that took place in October last year.
Mariano Mendiola Camacho could be sentenced to a probation based on the recommendation of the federal prosecutors under the plea agreement approved by Judge Alex R. Munson.
He admitted taking a Smith and Wesson pistol from Phil Litulumar, an agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, when the latter met an accident in the early morning of Oct. 11, 1999.
According to court papers, Mr. Camacho took the service revolver when Mr. Litulumar got trapped in his pick-up truck after the accident. A police officer who responded to the crash site was calling police for back-up and did not notice the former’s action.
The charge of possession of stolen firearm carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000 and a supervised release of up to three years after serving out a jail time.
But in exchange for the plea agreement he forged with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Camacho would only face a probationary sentence for a period to be determined by the judge. In addition, he will not be required to pay a fine.
He also agreed to cooperate fully with the prosecution, DEA as well as the Joint DEA/CNMI Task Force in investigating crimes he knew to have been committed.
If he has provided substantial assistance, the prosecution led by U.S. Assistant Attorney David T. Wood will recommend to the court a downward departure on the sentencing guideline.
Mr. Camacho remains free on a bail of $25,000 in unsecured bond.
