Probationer gets 11 months in prison for continued use of ‘ice’

The federal court sentenced Francisco Nakatsukasa Basa yesterday to 11 months in prison after he admitted to using illegal drugs more than three times in one year while on probation.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona revoked Basa’s supervised release, sentenced him to 11 months in prison, and imposed 18 months of supervised release. She ordered Basa to self-surrender at the Department of Corrections in Susupe on June 30 at 8am.

The judge told Basa to abide by the previously imposed special conditions of release while on release for two weeks before self-surrendering.

At the hearing, court-appointed counsel Bruce Berline said that his client, Basa, is prepared to admit the allegations in the U.S. Probation Office’s declarations.

In his report submitted in court, U.S. probation officer Gregory F. Arriola said that Basa admitted last June 4 and 9 that he used methamphetamine or “ice” again, that Basa stated that it is difficult for him to stop using methamphetamine once he gets started.

Last June 4, Arriola said, he instructed Basa to report to his office for a random drug test. He said Basa failed to report at the designated time. An hour later, Basa called, admitting that he had “relapsed” and used “ice” the night before. Arriola said Basa was instructed last June 9 to report to his office for another random drug test and that Basa eventually admitted that he used “ice” two days earlier and that he has having hard time to stop using it.

With the shutdown of the Hinemlu O’hala Para Enteramenti Recovery Center, or the HOPE Recovery Center, due to COVID-19 pandemic, Basa who was among the occupants of the facility, went back home last March and allegedly used methamphetamine and drank alcohol.

Last Feb. 4, Arriola also informed the court that Basa admitted that he used methamphetamine last Jan. 12. Basa appeared in court last Feb. 19 and admitted to the allegation.

Assistant U.S. attorney Garth Backe appeared for the U.S. government.

According to court records, in 2006 the District Court sentenced Basa to four years and six months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams of methamphetamine. He was placed on probation after completing the prison term.

The court had revoked Basa’s supervised release several times in the past mainly due to using methamphetamine or “ice.”