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Mendiola sentencing today
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Posted on Jul 18 2000
U.S. District Judge Alex R. Munson is set to hand down today his sentence on former Tinian Mayor James Masga Mendiola, three months after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of conspiracy.
The ex-congressman could face punishment of up to six months probation and a restitution fine of $15,000 based on the plea agreement he forged with federal prosecutors last April, according to U.S. Assistant Attorney David T. Wood.
Mr. Mendiola, 51, was implicated in a cattle rustling case in his island municipality that also involved three other Tinian residents. The U.S. government charged them with felony counts of conspiracy and illegal possession of firearms.
His trial last February ended in a hang jury and a second trial was about to resume when he changed his plea — a move that defense lawyer Paul A. Lawlor said was the best thing for his client.
The misdemeanor charge carries maximum penalties of not more than one year in jail, a fine of up to $100,000 and supervised release of up to a year, plus restitution.
Based on court documents, Mr. Mendiola admitted his guilt to one count of conspiracy to steal beef from the Micronesian Development Corporation that took place between March 1, 1998 to March 6, 1999.
Witnesses, including three of his co-accused, testified that members of the conspiracy went on a weekly basis to pastures on MDC property and slaughtered from two to four cows at a time.
They also told the court that cattle were butchered in the field and the beef was hauled out and later sold on Tinian and Saipan. A MDC representative said at the trial that the company lost approximately 120 heads of cattle or about $130,000 worth of beef during a four-month period in 1998.
Mr. Mendiola was arrested by FBI agents on Nov. 19, 1999 after charges were brought against him in the federal court.
The three who had earlier accepted responsibility — Herman P. Aldan Franklin B. Mundo, and Alexander SN. Borja — will be sentenced with lighter penalties in exchange for their cooperation with the prosecution.
The conspiracy charge carries up to 10-year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.
