Ex-convict gets 10 months for violating his probation

Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho yesterday imposed the full maximum 10 months of his suspended sentence against an ex-convict for violating the terms and conditions of his probation.

Camacho ordered 25-year-old James Anthony Palacios Webb to serve the 10 months day for day without the possibility of parole.

Webb was given credit for time served.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the offense of violating the terms and conditions of his probation.

Webb also pleaded guilty yesterday to the offense of theft in a separate case. The sentencing in this case will be on May 4, 2016.

Webb was remanded to the Department of Corrections.

According to the factual basis of the plea agreement, between Dec. 4 and 15, 2015 on Saipan, Webb stole approximately $1,352.68 in hotel services, food items, cigarettes, miscellaneous store items, and U.S. currency, from Paradise Hotel, Twins Market in Dandan, and San Roque Market.

Webb violated the terms and conditions of his probation in his prior conviction by failing to obey all CNMI laws by committing the offense of theft.

Camacho said the $94.21 in restitution to Shell Highway Express in Gualo Rai as ordered in the previous conviction shall be converted to a civil judgment because he is serving the full maximum sentence of 10 months and there are no suspended sentence.

Camacho said Webb shall pay $517.43 in restitution to San Roque Market, $539.25 in restitution to Twins Market in Dandan, and $292 in restitution to Paradise Hotel in Garapan.  He said these restitutions are part of the theft case, in which the sentencing will be on May 4, 2016.

Assistant attorney general Heather Barcinas appeared counsel for the government. Assistant public defender Tillman Clark served as defense counsel.

Police arrested Webb last December for allegedly checking in at Paradise Hotel using a forged check in the amount of $319.25.

Police said Webb admitted to receiving several blank checks from Summer Holiday Hotel and writing at least seven checks amounting to over $400 at different stores on Saipan.

The Office of the Attorney General originally charged Webb with one count of theft and three counts of forgery.

The OAG subsequently amended the information to charge the defendant with only one count of theft.

Webb was previously convicted for stealing credit card of the KZNM/KCMI radio station and purchasing gas and other items in the amount of $94.21 at the Shell Highway Express in Gualo Rai. In April 2015, he was slapped with a two-month prison term.