Victim, family, OAG strongly oppose Calvo’s parole request

The victim and her family as well as the Office of the Attorney General strongly opposed convicted child molester Patrick Mendiola Calvo’s petition for parole during an emotional hearing yesterday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Calvo’s two brothers, a neighbor, and a relative on the other hand urged the Board of Parole to approve Calvo’s application.

After listening to the testimonies of both sides, Board of Parole chair Ramon B. Camacho told Calvo that the board will deliberate and inform him of their decision by Monday.

Aside from Camacho, present at the hearing were board members Wally Villagomez, Steve Mesngon, Antonio Borja, and Joe Camacho.

Hearing examiner Rose Ada-Hocog recused herself as she is related to the victim’s family. Board member Alex Apatang was absent for health reasons.

Those opposed to Calvo’s parole application described him as a monster, a serial sex offender, and a pedophile.

Wearing a pair of eyeglasses, a pair of black pants, and a long-sleeved shirt, the 51-year-old Calvo told the board that if granted parole he will work hard because he owes his former wife child support. Calvo said he will also pay counseling services for the victim as part of the court’s order. He promised to contribute to the community and be a productive member in the remaining period of his life. He cited his accomplishments and projects at the Department of Corrections.

“I will do the best I can to do good,” he said, tears in his eyes.

Calvo said that being a convicted sex offender means he will be serving for the rest of his life. He said he feels ashamed and feels sorry for the victim and that he prays everyday for her.

According to a DOC report that was read at the hearing, Calvo is described by DOC officials as a great asset as he worked on the opening of a library and other programs. DOC officials trust him and call him a trustee inmate.

Those who supported Calvo’s parole were allowed to speak first, followed by those who opposed it.

Those who gave support were Ivan Propst, Calvo’s brothers Anthony and Edward, and another relative who spoke in Chamorro.

Propst said he has known Calvo since the latter was a teenager. He said Calvo has a 4-year-old son who is all by himself and needs a father.

“For four years his son and parents are penalized because of his incarceration,” he said.

Propst said that releasing Calvo on parole means he can provide financial assistance to his old and ailing parents as well as his family.

Anthony Calvo said the Board of Parole can require strict parole conditions for his brother if he is released. He said he is willing to serve as a third-party custodian for his brother.

On the economic side, Anthony Calvo said the government will spend $150,000 for Calvo’s incarceration for another four years.

Edward Calvo asked the board to consider his brother’s accomplishments at DOC. “He will be an asset to the community if released,” he said.

Among those who spoke against Calvo’s parole, the victim’s mother spoke first, reading her own statements as well as the victim’s and her siblings’.

As the mother was reading the letters, some family members and supporters were either wiping away tears or sobbing. One elderly woman cried aloud, prompting a family member to take her outside the room.

In her letter, the victim said that Calvo has shown no remorse and in fact has not sent her a letter of apology that Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja had ordered him to do.

The victim said that Calvo is sick and has lied, manipulated, and deceived his family.

The victim said Calvo is not a changed man and will pose a danger to the community, particularly children, if released.

Reading her own statement, the girl’s mother said Calvo has many accomplishments at DOC because he is good at manipulating everyone and has a hidden agenda. The mother said Calvo has not taken responsibility for his actions and has not shown any remorse.

The victim’s older sister stated in her letter that she does not believe that Calvo is a changed man. The sister said Calvo is sick and has not been rehabilitated.

“Please do not let him continue to manipulate this community,” the victim’s sister said.

A female counselor disclosed in her emotional statement that Calvo sexually assaulted her in his company in August 1997 when she was only 15 years old.

The counselor said she was shocked to learn that DOC allows Calvo to speak to children through a community outreach program.

“You’re talking about a convicted sex offender,” the counselor said. “I’m a mother [and] I want to know if a sex offender is allowed to speak to children in schools!”

She said Calvo is a serial sex offender and pedophile. She claims she was told that Calvo once raped a co-worker and she accused Calvo of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl.

The counselor said the board should not release Calvo and should let him serve the remaining four-year sentence. “Please protect the next child!” she said. “Please protect us from this monster.”

She said Calvo is ashamed because of his arrest and not of his acts.

Attorney Vincent Seman said he witnessed the victim’s terror, the shaking, the crying, and the pain, when she came forward. Seman said Calvo was sorry only because he was caught and that there was no admission of guilt.

“What exactly he’s sorry for? What exactly he’s asking for forgiveness?” Seman asked.

Lauri Ogumoro of Guma Esperanza said she is opposing parole for Calvo as a concerned citizen and as an advocate against sexual abuse of minors. “Please let him serve his time,” Ogumoro said.

Bernadita Seman echoed Ogumoro’s statements and said that Calvo is not remorseful.

Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence executive director Maisie B. Tenorio said Calvo is a serial sex offender who has multiple victims. She said he is a dangerous man particularly to children.

Assistant attorneys general Margo Brown-Badawy and Barbara Cepeda said that Calvo is not doing volunteer work at DOC or in the community. He is not doing this of his own free will but because Judge Naraja required him to perform community service, they said.

Margo-Brown said Calvo has four victims and possibly more.

“He has to pay for what he’s done,” she added.

A Superior Court jury found Calvo guilty in September 2009 of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2008. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.