Man gets 14-day sentence in knife-chasing incident

A man accused of chasing people in sight with a knife after threatening to stab his girlfriend in Gualo Rai pleaded guilty yesterday and was slapped with a 14-day prison term.

Kardus Louis, 29, pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace as part of a plea deal and was sentenced to 90 days in prison, all suspended except 14 days, to be served day for day.

Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio gave Louis credit for the eight days he has already served in jail. That means he has six more days to serve at the Department of Corrections.

After completing his sentence, Louis will be placed on one year of supervised probation. He was required to pay a $200 fine, plus $25 in court costs and $100 in probation fees.

Louis was required to report to the Community Guidance Center for anger management counseling and complete any recommended treatment within six months of being released.

He was ordered to submit to an evaluation by the Community Guidance Center focusing on alcohol and drug assessment, treatment, and screening.

During his probation, Louis is prohibited from possessing or consuming any alcoholic beverages and controlled substances.

Police arrested Louis at the scene on Nov. 20, 2015, on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and disturbing the peace. The Office of the Attorney General later amended the charge to just disturbing the peace.

Louis was represented by assistant public defender Matthew Meyer. Assistant attorney general Chester Hinds appeared for the government.

According to the factual basis of the plea deal, on Nov. 20, 2014 on Saipan, Louis chased Francisco Sinounou with a knife.

A police report stated that two police officers responded to the U-Luck Poker area in Gualo Rai on Nov. 20, 2014 at 2:35am in response to a call about a disturbance.

As one of the officers was talking to Louis, who was standing across the street, Louis’ girlfriend approached and told the officer to arrest him. The girlfriend, who was crying and screaming, told police that Louis came to her house, took a knife from the kitchen, and threatened to stab her and other people.

A witness told police that Louis challenged everyone to a fight and chased him and other people in the area. Louis then threw the knife in the jungle area upon seeing the officers.