DYS staff in alleged sex case to remain under house arrest

Superior Court associate judge Kenneth L. Govendo denied Monday the Office of the Attorney General’s motion to reconsider his order that placed under house arrest a Division of Youth Services staff who allegedly sexually abused a 14-year-old girl at a DYS shelter.

Govendo said there was no evidence produced that suspect Pedro Ilo Sablan violated bail conditions.

Govendo said the allegations that the 62-year-old Sablan was seen driving up and down the street of the alleged victim happened before the suspect’s arrest.

The judge even allowed Sablan to be with his 14 grandchildren with the conditions that they are to be watched by adults.

Assistant attorney general Peter Prestley strongly objected, citing the safety of minors and in the interest of justice, but Govendo told him his order stands unless Prestley could produce compelling evidence.

Govendo initially imposed a $50,000 cash bail when Sablan was arrested on Aug. 9. On Aug. 16, over the government’s strong objection, Govendo accepted a $50,000 property bond in lieu of cash bail and placed Sablan under house arrest, plus many other conditions.

Assistant attorney general Shelli Neal, who filed the motion for reconsideration asking the court to remand Sablan to jail and require him to post a $50,000 cash bail, said that the government has discovered new information and believes the court will find it of concern.

Neal said that Sablan knows where the victim lives and was seen driving up and down her street about a week after she was placed at this new, undisclosed location.

Neal said that Sablan or his relatives may have been contacting the victim through Facebook.

The prosecutor said that Sablan was arrested after he owned up to allegations that he had sexually abused the girl at a DYS shelter where he was employed.

“The victim in this case suffers from developmental disabilities and was placed in the shelter to keep her safe from neglect, abuse and/or maltreatment,” Neal said.

Also, she said, Sablan disabled the security camera recording devices to avoid detection of his criminal acts.

At Monday’s hearing, Prestley who appeared for the government, called to the witness stand the caretaker of the alleged victim, who testified that she saw Sablan driving in the area.

Assistant public defender Matt Meyer, counsel for Sablan, said that no evidence was presented that Sablan violated his bail conditions after being placed under house arrest.

In denying the motion, Govendo, however, reiterated the bail conditions, including no direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim.

“No driving around,” Govendo told the suspect.

Govendo also directed the DYS not to allow the alleged victim to use Facebook or a computer.