Woman in drug case gets 10 months

Courtroom drama crowned the end of a drug trial at the US District Court yesterday where defendant Patricia V. Aldan expressed remorse over the distress she has caused through her ice use.

She made this statement during her last chance to address the court.

Ms. Aldan, who pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute metemphetamine or ice, was sentenced to 10 months incarceration, supervised for a term of three years.

District Court Judge Alex R. Munson handed the sentence with a note that he has been a witness to the marks of destruction metamphetamine and other illegal drugs has caused the CNMI community.

Based on his 20 years on island, he added that ice’s impact on CNMI families has brought about financial ruin, health deterioration and an increase in domestic violence.

“I believe you when you say you want to overcome this problem. And I think the sentence the court has imposed will help you accomplish that goal,” the federal judge the emotional Ms. Aldan.

Mr. Munson further encouraged the defendant to avail of rehabilitative programs that are for her benefit, should she serve her sentence in an off-island facility run by the federal bureau of prisons.

Ms. Aldan was previously leveled with counts of possession with intent to distribute ice, distribution of ice, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of ice on at least two separate instances last 1999.

In a plea agreement entered by the defense and prosecution panels, three out of four charges were dismissed against the defendant.

The statutory maximum penalty of conviction based on the original charges would have amounted to Ms. Aldan spending 20 years imprisonment, and a fine not exceeding $1 million.

In addition to her 10-month jail term, the court has ordered her to abide by local, federal and state laws, comply with standard conditions of supervised release as set forth by the US Sentencing Commission, and not to be in possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons.

Ms. Aldan was also warned against using or possessing any controlled substances, and submit to regular urinalysis.

She is also forbidden from consuming alcoholic beverages.

The defendant is also mandated to participate in substance abuse treatment programs, to obtain gainful employment, perform 200 hours of community service, and secure a high school diploma.

Her case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and CNMI task force and prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney David T. Wood. (Marian A. Maraya)