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Two plead not guilty to drug raps
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Posted on Nov 22 2000
Two Saipan residents pled not guilty during their arraignment yesterday in the U.S. District Court after the federal government brought drug charges against them.
Leo Sablan Pangelinan, 47, and Sonia Castro Belyeu, 29, were accused of conspiracy with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine or “ice,” distribution of the controlled substance, and possession of the drugs.
District Judge Alex R. Munson set their trial on January 29, 2001. They were indicted the other day by a federal grand jury.
The two were caught in a buy-bust operation last month and were taken to custody of CNMI authorities, according to court papers filed by Assistant District Attorney John Rice.
At yesterday’s proceeding, Mr. Pangelinan was denied bail due to potential flight risk and harm to the community. He was immediately remanded to the U.S. Marshal.
But Ms. Belyeu was released to her mother Fermina Castro Belyeu as third-party custodian on a bail of $50,000 secured bond as she does not pose a flight risk or danger to the community.
During her temporary freedom, she will be in a home confinement program with electronic monitoring to know her whereabouts, be subjected to drug tests as well as be under a dusk-to-dawn curfew, among other conditions.
Based on the indictment, the two defendants allegedly conspired in the illegal drug dealing up until Oct. 13 when authorities discovered the crime.
On Oct. 5, Mr. Pangelinan met with a confidential informer at his residence and sold approximately one-third of a gram of “ice” for $200 in marked bills, it said.
He met again with the informer on Oct. 13 in his house and sold three “plates or dosage” of “ice” for $200, the prosecutors claimed.
Ms. Belyeu was inside the said residence in possession of one-third of a gram of “ice” as well as the $200 in marked bills that were used to buy the drugs from Mr. Pangelinan earlier that day, they said.
Mr. Pangelinan faces four counts in the indictment, while Ms. Belyeu is charged with two counts. (BS)
