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Jury trial set for illegal alien charged with firearm possession
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Posted on Jul 28 2023
The jury trial of an illegal alien, MD Ikbal, who was indicted for allegedly illegally possessing a firearm, has been set for Sept. 6, 2023, at 10am.
Ikbal appeared before U.S. District Court for the NMI magistrate judge Heather Kennedy in July 2022 for his initial appearance, during which Ikbal pleaded not guilty to the charge of illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
In a competency hearing on July 26, Ikbal appeared before District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona.
Court-appointed counsel David Banes confirmed with the court that the parties received and reviewed the defendant’s evaluation report. Banes apprised the court that the parties agreed to setting this matter for a jury trial, which is anticipated to last three days.
Ikbal was hospitalized but has now recovered and is said to be able to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him. He was ordered by the court to be discharged from where he is hospitalized.
According to Saipan Tribune archives, Ikbal was indicted by a grand jury last June 28, 2022.
The indictment states that Ikbal, “on or about May 5, 2022, then being an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States, did unlawfully, willfully, and knowingly possess a firearm, to wit, a .40 caliber handgun, Glock model 22, serial number WHZ254, in and affecting interstate commerce.”
The indictment states that, if he is convicted, Ikbal must forfeit any firearm he possesses.
“He shall forfeit to the United States, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(d) and Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c): any firearms and ammunition involved in the commission of the offense, including, but not limited to the .40 caliber, model Glock 22 handgun, serial number WHZ254,” court documents state.
It was learned that Ikbal has pending criminal charges in the CNMI Superior Court and a bench warrant has been issued against him.
