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Man gets 15-month sentence for burglarizing Saipan Zoo
A man who burglarized the Saipan Zoo and took off with three fruit bats and one coconut crab was slapped yesterday with a 15-month prison term.
Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio sentenced Ignacio C. Camacho to five years in prison, all suspended except for 15 months, for burglary.
Camacho, 25, was given credit for seven days of time served. After completing the prison term, he will be placed on probation for five years.
Camacho signed a plea deal with assistant attorney general Heather Barcinas. He pleaded guilty to burglary yesterday.
Assistant public defender Benjamin Petersburg served as counsel for the defendant.
As part of the plea agreement, the remaining charges of theft and threatened or endangered species violation was dropped.
Kim-Tenorio ordered Camacho to pay a $200 fine, $100 in court assessment fee, $500 in probation fee, and $500 in restitution to the victim, the CNMI Fish and Wildlife.
Kim-Tenorio also required Camacho to write a letter of apology to Saipan Zoo and complete any recommended counseling by the Community Guidance Center.
According to the factual basis of the plea agreement, Camacho unlawfully entered Saipan Zoo in Sadog Tasi on May 9, 2014, with the purpose of committing theft.
Division of Fish and Wildlife conservation inspector Erwin T. Flores stated in his report that on May 20 and June 1, 2014, Saipan Zoo owner Frank Aldan reported to the Department of Public Safety that unidentified person or persons broke into the zoo and stole three fruit bats and property of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Office of Law Enforcement.
An interview of a witness led to the arrest of Camacho in June.
