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Poker robber gets 8 years
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Posted on Nov 22 2000
The last defendant to the poker robbery case was sentenced yesterday to eight years imprisonment, receiving one of the stiffest penalties handed down by U.S. District Judge Alex R. Munson in connection with the crime.
Juan Teigita, 22, was the last sent to jail following his plea agreement in August with federal prosecutors on charges of robbery and illegal gun possession.
He expressed remorse for committing the crime at his sentencing, but Judge Munson denied lower punishment recommended by both the prosecution and the defense.
Assistant District Attorney David T. Wood asked for downward departure of six years prison term, while defense lawyer Bruce Berline appealed for five years due to his client’s substantial assistance in the resolution of the crime.
The judge sentenced Juan to 12 months for one count of robbery and 84 months for illegal gun possession, which will be served consecutively for a total of 96 months or eight years.
While in prison, he will have to undergo 500 hours of drug treatment and perform 300 hours of community service.
Upon serving time, he will be placed under supervised release for three years during which he will have to participate in substance abuse treatment program as well as mental health assessment and treatment.
As restitution, Juan was ordered to pay his victim Lin Mei Huang $817 which he will have to share with four other accomplices to the crime. Judge Munson waived payment of fine, but instructed him to pay $200 in special assessment fee.
Four defendants were sentenced in the past three weeks — 19-year old Sidney Capelle Kani to 35-months in jail; Kenneth T. Dowai, 23, to eight years imprisonment.; Joaquin Dela Cruz Cangco, 19, to 48 months in jail; and Rodney I. Demei, 23, who is placed under one-year supervised release.
Based on court papers, the defendants robbed Sun Poker of approximately $2,000 after beating its cashier Elahi Md. Ashik on Jan. 6. They also robbed nearby establishment, LJ’s store, of $200 after pointing a .22 caliber rifle to cashier Ms. Huang on Jan. 26. (BS)
