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More release conditions for suspect in driver’s license scam
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Posted on Aug 05 2011
The federal court on Thursday has allowed one of the five suspects in a driver’s license scam at the Department of Public Safety to remain free until the start of trial but with additional conditions.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona modified Mohammad Jahangir Miah’s release conditions after Miah admitted to violating his bail conditions when he was found in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.
Miah and his counsel, Joseph Horey, and assistant U.S. attorney Kirk Schuler, agreed to the changes in Miah’s release conditions instead of having him detained again.
The defense and prosecution proposed five more release conditions; Manglona accepted the proposal and added one more.
Manglona noted that she is very hesitant to accept the parties’ agreement, but that she understands based on the representation of both counsels that there are other things being considered in this matter.
“You are reminded to abide by the orders,” the judge told Miah.
According to Schuler, Miah, while on pre-trial release, violated federal and local law by possessing marijuana on May 25, 2011. A detective reportedly found the marijuana in Miah’s room during the search at his house.
The additional conditions include not drinking any alcoholic beverages, not using controlled substances, letting himself be tested for drugs or alcohol use, avoiding contact with any victim or potential witnesses in the investigation or prosecution, and advising the U.S. Probation officer if he is a victim of a crime.
Miah’s jury trial in the driver’s license scam case will start on Sept. 12, 2011. His four co-defendants have already pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
