11 years in jail for carjacker-cum-robber

Federal Court Judge Alex R. Munson yesterday sent a 21-year-old Saipan man to 11 years in prison after he pled guilty on charges of carjacking, robbery and a felon in possession of firearm in an incident that involved two of his friends who escaped last year from the Division of Corrections facility.

Jeffrey Sablan Basa also was given a five-year supervised release as well as 300 hours of community of service, and was ordered to pay his three victims and the Commonwealth Health Center a sum of $7,439.

He will share payment of the restitution fine with two of his co-accused namely Melvin N. Basa and Jeronimo S. Ada who bolted out of prison in Susupe last October along with convicted murderer Shawn Appleby.

Based on court documents, Jeffrey Basa admitted his guilt on the three charges, while the two accepted responsibility only for committing the crimes of carjacking and affecting commerce by robbery.

Sentencing for Melvin N. Basa and Mr. Ada has been set on Feb. 29. Local charges filed against the three were dismissed.

Investigation showed that on July 11, 1999, Wu Guo Quing left his pickup with the engine running at the ABCD market in Koblerville. The victim, who came from the laundry beside the market, saw his 1992 Mazda vehicle being driven away by a group of men.

Instantly, Mr. Wu jumped onto the backup 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 Mr. Wu. The victim said he was hit with a hard object on the head.

Still not satisfied, they took his 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.

Because of the injuries sustained by the victims, Judge Munson ordered the three accused to pay $4,088 for Mr. Wu, $1,483 to the Ueda couple and $1,868 to CHC representing hospital bills.

Jeffrey Basa was also asked to pay $300 in assessment fee, although court fines connected with these crimes were waived as part of the plea agreement.

The three counts charged against him carry maximum 25-year imprisonment, five-year supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 for the carjacking and robbery, while possession of firearm has penalties of 15 years in jail and up to $250,000 fine.

“Ice” conviction

Meanwhile, another Saipan man received 18-month jail sentence handed down yesterday by Judge Munson on two illegal drug charges.

Jesus Akiyama Aldan, 43, pled guilty on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, popularly known as “ice,” and another count on possession with intent to distribute the controlled substance.

He was caught in two separate drug busts on April 2 and May 28 last year, which also involved Remmy Leon Guerrero Noble who was recently convicted on a separate charge of possession of “ice.”

Judge Munson said Mr. Aldan will have six-year supervised release immediately after serving the jail sentence. He will also devote 500 hours of community service and pay assessment fee of $200.