Previous Story
Inmates enter not guilty plea
|
Posted on Mar 19 1999
The six inmates yesterday pleaded not guilty for the seven counts each of federal charges before Judge Alex Munson of the United States District Court of the NMI.
Clad in prison uniforms, William C. Sablan, Vicente M. Aldan Jr., Jeffrey I. Celis, Edwin P. Blas, Arcel L. Basto and Ryan T. Babauta arrived on Saipan yesterday to face charges on stolen firearm, dispensing ammunition, transfer of firearm and other federal offenses related to the recent prison standoff at the CNMI male detention center.
Charges were based on the findings from the investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms with the help of CNMI’s Department of Public Safety.
Anxious family members and relatives were awaiting for their loved ones appearance in court. Security was also tight at the Horiguchi Building where officers of the U.S. Marshal escorted the inmates.
Each federal prisoner was separately summoned to the court together with appointed legal counsel.
Aldan, who was called in first, was complaining of back pains and lawyer Michael Dotts requested for his client to see a doctor. The court asked the U.S. Marshal to take him to the Commonwealth Health Center before their scheduled departure to Guam late in the afternoon yesterday.
After each plead, Munson set separate trials starting next month and May.
All sporting new haircut, the six inmates appeared docile under the custody of the U.S. Marshal, a far cry from their aggressive stand when they staged the hostage-drama last Tuesday.
After the court hearing, some family members were granted to spend a few minutes with the inmates.
According to Maria Sablan, her husband is reportedly confined inside a sparsely lit detention cell but was not complaining about it.
“He just told me to take care of the kids,” she said.
Babauta’s father Russ de Mola was informed that a request for visit form has to be filled out before the prisoners’ families on Saipan can visit them at the Department of Corrections on Guam.
The six inmates also attended separate trials on prison escape charges scheduled at the Superior Court in the afternoon.
