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Ex-cop admits using excessive force
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Posted on Jan 19 2012
By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter
Reporter
Frankie Sablan Pangelinan, a former police officer accused of using excessive force while making a false arrest of two men when he was still with the Department of Public Safety, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday.
The 44-year-old Pangelinan pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law as part of a plea deal. The offense carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The defense and prosecution agreed that the most appropriate sentence is time served, plus supervised release for a period of not more than three years.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona accepted Pangelinan’s guilty plea and set his sentencing on May 11, 2012, at 9am. Manglona directed the U.S. Probation Office to submit a presentence investigation report.
Attorney Robert T. Tenorio served as counsel for Pangelinan. Assistant U.S. attorney Garth Backe appeared for the U.S. government.
According to the plea agreement, on the evening of July 26, 2010, while in uniform and driving a marked Department of Public Safety patrol vehicle, Pangelinan went to western Garapan to the vicinity of Crystal Massage.
Pangelinan responded to the area after receiving a call from David Cepeda, who had received a call for assistance from the proprietor of that business.
While at that location, Pangelinan drew his DPS-issued pepper spray and intentionally sprayed Felipe Kalen in the face. Pangelinan agreed that the U.S. government’s evidence would show that there was no lawful reason for him to use the degree of force against Kalen.
The indictment charged Pangelinan with three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law. As part of the plea bargain, the U.S. government will recommend the dismissal of two charges.
