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Man gets 10 years in prison for robbing woman
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Posted on Feb 21 2018
A man convicted of beating and robbing a woman at her hotel room in western Garapan was slapped with a 10-year prison term yesterday.
Jodan Santos Taitingfong, 25, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, all suspended except 10 years, without the possibility of parole.
Taitingfong was given credit for time served. After completing his prison term, he will be placed on probation for five years and required to pay restitution to the victim.
Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio handed down the sentence.
Assistant attorney general Teri Tenorio, counsel for the government, said that, while she recommended the maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, she believes the judge considered the goals of the criminal justice system—retribution and rehabilitation.
In this case, Tenorio said, while the defendant committed a violent crime, his age suggests he is susceptible to rehabilitation.
“I believe this is a fair and just sentence for the victim while sending the message to similar offenders that this behavior will not be tolerated in the CNMI,” the prosecutor said.
The victim testified during the trial how she was hit on the head and robbed inside her room on the third floor of Micro Beach Hotel in the early morning of July 7, 2016.
A doctor testified how the victim had severe injuries when taken to the Commonwealth Health Center.
The victim’s face was swollen and her mouth had wounds that required stitches. One of her front tooth was gone and two other teeth in front were damaged.
The jurors found Taitingfong guilty of robbery and aggravated assault and battery.
