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Palacios pleads guilty to ‘ice’ distribution charge
Vicente Sablan Palacios, a 38-year-old man who was one of seven persons arrested last month by joint federal and local law enforcement teams for allegedly engaging in distribution of methamphetamine or “ice” on Saipan has pleaded guilty.
At a change of plea hearing Friday afternoon in federal court, Palacios pleaded guilty to the indictment charging him with one count of distribution of methamphetamine.
The offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and five years of supervised release.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona accepted the plea agreement and Palacios’ guilty plea.
He will be sentenced on Aug. 8, 2014.
Assistant U.S. attorney Rami Badawy stated that a confidential source managed to buy $400 worth of “ice” from Palacios on Oct. 11, 2012.
Mark Hanson served as court-appointed counsel for Palacios.
The anti-drug operation that netted Palacios and six other persons, including the alleged top two leaders of a group of “ice” suppliers on Saipan, was conducted by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Public Safety, and the CNMI Customs and Border Protection.
