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Police now hunting for ex-firefighter Koshiba
Jergerson Techur Koshiba
Police are now hunting former firefighter Jergerson Techur Koshiba because he could not be found and served with an arrest warrant after he was released Monday from the Department of Corrections.
CNMI Crime Stoppers Program coordinator Jason Tarkong said yesterday that Koshiba, a Palauan national, is at large and that law enforcement officers are searching for him.
Tarkong said Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho signed an arrest warrant for Koshiba on Monday after the Office of the Attorney General filed a new information charging him with sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree. His bail was set at $100,000 cash.
“If spotted, do not approach him. Call 911 or Crime Stoppers should you wish to remain anonymous,” Tarkong said.
DOC released a picture of the 43-year-old Koshiba on Monday shortly after Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo ordered his immediate release from DOC’s custody.
That same day, Monday, the OAG filed the new information against Koshiba.
Govendo ordered Koshiba’s immediate release because the offense of disturbing the peace carries a maximum sentence of six months and the defendant has been incarcerated at DOC since Feb. 27, 2016.
Govendo decided the misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace during last week’s trial.
On Friday, Govendo adjudged Koshiba guilty of disturbing the peace and sentenced him to six months imprisonment, with credit for 218 days time served.
The judge declared a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on the count of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
Defense attorney Joaquin DLG Torres, counsel for Koshiba, argued that his client should be immediately released after Friday’s mistrial because the court has no more jurisdiction in this case.
The government accused Koshiba of touching the private part of a 9-year-old girl at a residence in Navy Hill last Feb. 26. The trial commenced last Sept. 26 and concluded on Friday.
