Ex-convict released to ex-lawmaker stepfather

Herman P. Santos, an ex-convict who was indicted in federal court for alleged possession of two firearms and ammunition at separate incidents on Saipan in December 2015 and in June 2016, was freed last week upon posting $1,000 in secured bond.

At a detention hearing, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona denied the U.S. government’s motion to place Santos under continued detention.

Manglona allowed defendant’s release upon posting $1,000 secured bond and to the custody of his mother and stepfather, former representative Christopher Leon Guerrero.

Defense counsel Robert T. Torres called Leon Guerrero to the witness stand. Leon Guerrero is also a retired police officer.

Among the many bail conditions require Santos to submit to drug testing if required by the pretrial services office or supervising officer, participate to location monitoring, and no use or possession of any controlled substances.

Assistant U.S. attorney Garth Backe argued for the U.S. government’s motion.

The indictment charged Santos with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Santos is also known as Hermanny Palacios Santos, Hermany Palacios Santos, and Jr. Santos.

According to the indictment, Santos, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term of exceeding one year, knowingly possessed a Harrington and Richardson model 732 .32 caliber revolver and three rounds of .32 caliber ammunition, on Dec. 6, 2015.

Santos was also allegedly found in possession of a Savage Arms Model 24 410/22 “over and under” firearm and 11 rounds of .22 ammunition and two .410 shotgun shells, on June 3, 2016.

According to Superior Court records, the Dec. 6, 2015 incident stemmed from the arrest of Santos for allegedly pointing a handgun at two men he accused of beating up his father, Leon Guerrero, at a poker establishment in Garapan.

Police officers later checked the back of Santos’ house, where they recovered a .32 revolver handgun with three bullets in the cylinder. That same day, Dec. 6, police arrested him.

In January 2016, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho dismissed without prejudice the amended information charging Santos with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, upon the Office of the Attorney General’s request.

Dismiss without prejudice means the government may re-file the case in the future.