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Ex-firefighter Koshiba gets 2 years, 6 months for sexual abuse of minor
A former firefighter facing a charge of sex abuse of a minor pleaded guilty Wednesday and was slapped with the maximum sentence of two years and six months in prison.
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho ordered 43-year-old Jergerson Techur Koshiba to serve the prison term without the possibility of parole. Camacho gave Koshiba credit for 174 days of time served.
Koshiba was required to register with the CNMI Sex Offender Registry.
Koshiba is a citizen of Palau. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement was informed about Koshiba’s case
Koshiba pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault in the third degree.
Last Oct. 3, the Office of the Attorney General charged him with sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, which carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.
The OAG later amended the charge to attempted sexual assault in the third degree, which carries a maximum sentence of two years and six months in prison.
According to the plea deal, Koshiba placed his hand beneath the clothing of a 9-year-old girl as she lay asleep on Feb. 26, 2016 on Saipan.
Camacho noted that Koshiba has three prior convictions for assault and battery.
Last Sept. 30, Govendo found Koshiba guilty of disturbing the peace and sentenced him to six months imprisonment, with credit for 218 days of time served.
The judge declared a mistrial on the jury count of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree. He dismissed the charge after finding that the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
The Department of Corrections released Koshiba last Oct. 3, shortly after Govendo ordered his immediate release from custody.
Govendo gave the order because disturbing the peace carries a maximum sentence of six months and Koshiba has been incarcerated since Feb. 27, 2016.
Govendo decided the misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace during the trial.
Camacho signed an arrest warrant against Koshiba last Oct. 3 when the OAG filed the new information charging him with sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree. Koshiba later surrendered to police.
