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3 inmates plead guilty to federal crimes
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Posted on Nov 24 1999
Three detainees pled guilty to various federal crimes before the U.S. District Court after waiving their right to indictment by a grand jury.
According to U.S. Attorney Dave Wood, Jeffrey Basa pled guilty to carjacking, affecting commerce by robbery and felon in possession of firearm. Two others — Melvin N. Basa and Jeronimo S. Ada — admitted only to committing the crimes of carjacking and affecting commerce by robbery.
The court has set the sentencing on Feb. 29, 2000. Eventually, local charges against them will be dismissed.
Investigation showed that on July 11, 1999, Wu Guo Quing left his pickup with the engine running at the ABCD market in Koblerville. Wu, who came from the laundry beside the market, saw his 1992 Mazda vehicle being driven away by a group of men.
Instantly, Wu jumped onto the back of his pickup. About 200 yards after, the pickup stopped and another vehicle pulled from behind. Within minutes, the men on board these two vehicles started beating up Wu. The victim said he was hit with a hard object on the head.
Still not satisfied, they took Wu’s pickup, followed by friends in the other vehicle, proceeded to Jia Jia store in Chalan Piao where they robbed Fleming Horumi Ueda and Jia Jia Jeng Ueda.
They also destroyed some of the properties of the couple, stabbed Mr. Ueda and fled with $500.
The plea agreement was made in cooperation with the U.S. Attorneys Office and the Attorney General’s Office of the CNMI. Involved in the investigation were Department of Public Safety, Federal Bureau of Investigation Task Force led by Ed Manalili as well as the U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
