Ex-drug user gets supervised release

A former drug dependent has been granted another chance to start life anew.

In what appears to be a first in the US District Court’s history, a defendant who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to posses with intent to distribute crystal metamphetamine or ice was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Aside from the 58-day jail term she has served inside a Guam prison, ex-drug user Sonia Castro Belyeu was relieved from further doing time behind bars.

The federal court ordered her release from custody yesterday. Starting a clean slate, she is expected to report today for her first day of work in an insurance company.

As a key instrument in a case that led to the conviction of drug-trafficker Leo S. Pangelinan, a lighter sentence was imposed on Ms. Belyeu, as recommended by the US government.

Though admitting the defendant violated laws through her previous drug use, Asst. US Attorney John Rice also noted that the defendant at least faced up to what she had done.

“She told the whole truth. She spoke of what she did wrong,” said Mr. Rice during the defendant’s sentencing yesterday.

District Judge Alex R. Munson ruled for the prosecution’s recommendations, citing that the defendant’s participation in the drug trial was of substantial assistance to the government’s case.

The judge impressed upon Ms. Belyeu that she was the first defendant to receive a supervised release sentence, considering the degree and seriousness of the crime she has committed.

Mr. Munson further warned that should the defendant be caught in a similar fix in the future, the federal court would not hesitate to send her to prison.

“The next time someone offers you ice, just say “No”,” said the judge, quoting words from former first lady Nancy Reagan.

As part of her sentence, Ms. Belyeu has been ordered to strictly follow a series of conditions, starting with adherence to all federal, state, and local laws.

She has also been mandated to obey all conditions under her supervised release and refrain from possessing any firearms of dangerous weapon.

The defendant is also prohibited from using any controlled substances or from consuming alcohol.

Further, she is supposed to submit to 200 hours of community service, obtain and maintain a gainful employment, as well as participate in a drug abuse prevention program.

Ms. Belyeu, a former live-in partner of Mr. Pangelinan, acted as a cooperating witness in the latter’s federal jury trial last month.

While testifying against the defendant, the witness also declared her involvement in the drug operation with her former boyfriend.

To lessen the consequences of her alleged part in the operation, Ms. Belyeu struck a deal with the government.

The former Attorney General’s Office employee earlier admitted she had no desire to spend a single day behind bars.