Judge finds OAG offer too lenient

Posted on Dec 29 2016

Finding it too lenient, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho rejected yesterday the government’s plea deal that recommends a five-year prison term for 65-year-old retiree Manases Masga Manglona Sr., who is facing charges of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl on several occasions on Rota.

Camacho vacated the jury trial set for March 13, 2017; instead, he set a bench trial that same day and time in the Rota courthouse.

Assistant attorney general Chester Hinds appeared for the government. Assistant public defender Tillman Clark is counsel for Manglona.

The amended information charged Manglona with sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.

The Department of Public Safety Central received a call last Sept. 6 from a Rota school principal about a case of sex abuse of a minor. The girl allegedly told a teacher that Manglona has been sexually abusing her and that she wants it to stop.

Ferdie De La Torre | Reporter

Ferdie Ponce de la Torre is a senior reporter of Saipan Tribune. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has covered all news beats in the CNMI. He is a recipient of the CNMI Supreme Court Justice Award. Contact him at ferdie_delatorre@Saipantribune.com

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