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FBI impostor gets 2 yrs. probation
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Posted on Feb 09 2000
A 27-year-old man passing himself off as federal drug enforcement agent was sentenced yesterday to a two-year probation by U.S. District Court Judge Alex R. Munson on a charge of impersonation.
Nick Manning Sanchez Castro received a lighter sentence after he pled guilty to the charge filed against him in the federal court on Saipan last October.
Judge Munson also imposed on Mr. Castro 200 hours of community service, a fine of $500 and assessment fee of $100 payable immediately.
The case stemmed from an incident that occurred last September inside the Marianas High School where he frisked and searched some students for illegal drugs, according to court documents.
In one instance, Mr. Castro detained student Akiya Chang and searched his belongings when he questioned the search the fake federal agent was conducting.
Mr. Castro was allowed entry into the school premises after he spoke to MHS Vice Principal Joseph A. Borja by identifying himself as an agent who was part of the CNMI Drug Task Force and was working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
Wearing a shirt emblazoned with “Customs” at the back and a black long pants, the convict carried a pistol in a holster attached to his waist band and flashed a fake badge during the three consecutive days he visited the school to supposedly conduct investigation for possible illegal drug deals by its students.
He approached two groups of students during a visit and told them that “I’m with the DEA. I smell marijuana. I want to search everyone’s bags,” said the court documents.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Wood prosecuted the case after Mr. Castro was arrested by the police and later charged with one count of impersonation of a federal agent.
The charge usually carries a penalty of up to three years in jail, a fine of $250,000 and one year of supervised release.
Because Mr. Castro entered into a plea agreement with the prosecution last November, the U.S. government recommended downward departure to the sentencing guidelines. (Benhur C. Saladores)
