3-year probation for man in domestic violence case

A man accused of strangling his girlfriend inside her car and of crashing her vehicle into a tin fence of a tire shop in Chalan Piao has pleaded guilty and was slapped with a three-year probation sentence.

Christopher A. Ayuyu, 27, pleaded guilty Tuesday to assault and battery (domestic violence) and criminal mischief as part of a plea deal with the CNMI government.

Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio sentenced Ayuyu to a total of two years imprisonment, all suspended, and three years of probation.

The one-year suspended sentence may be imposed on Ayuyu in full if he violates his probation.

Ayuyu was also ordered to pay $1,050 in restitution to the victim for the damage to her car. He shall pay this amount at a rate of no less than $50 per month.

He was also required to pay $25 in court assessment fee and probation fee in an amount to be assessed by the Office of the Adult Probation.

Ayuyu was ordered to submit to an examination by the Community Guidance Center and complete all recommended courses of treatment.

Ayuyu is not allowed to possess or consume any alcoholic beverages and is prohibited from having any contact with the victim during his probation.

As part of the plea agreement, assistant attorney general Chester Hinds, counsel for the government, moved to dismiss the remaining charges of strangulation (domestic violence) and disturbing the peace (domestic violence).

Assistant public defender Jean Pierre Nogues served as counsel for Ayuyu.

According to the plea deal, Ayuyu struck and beat the victim with his hands on May 26, 2018, on Saipan, causing red marks on her face. He also intentionally damaged the victim’s car by crashing it.

According to police, a police officer was sent to the Dabao Tire Shop in Chalan Piao at 2:45pm on May 26, 2018, where it was reported that a car had hit the establishment’s gate and there was a domestic violence in progress.

When the officer arrived, she saw a Mazda 3 car that had a damaged front end; its lower bumper was no longer attached. The officer then met the victim inside the tire shop; she was crying.

The victim complained of pain in her face. She told police that Ayuyu picked her up using her car at 1:30pm from a relative’s house in Chalan Kanoa, drove her to Coral Ocean Point beach side, parked in the jungle area, and questioned her whereabouts the night before and who she was with. He then allegedly started hitting her with his elbow and then strangled her.

Ayuyu then drove the victim to the 999 Market next to the Dabao Tire Shop in Chalan Piao. The girlfriend ran to the tire shop and hid in the storage area.

She later heard a loud sound of her car hitting something. Ayuyu then walked away from the car.