WSR burglary ‘mastermind’ gets 3 years

A 34-year-old habitual offender who allegedly masterminded the burglary at the William S. Reyes Elementary School in Chalan Kanoa with the help of four teen accomplices was slapped Tuesday with a three-year prison term.

Ignacio Matagolai Leon Guerrero Jr. was sentenced to five years in prison, all suspended except for three years, with no possibility of parole.

Leon Guerrero’s court-appointed counsel, Matthew Gregory, had argued that there was no evidence his client was the “instigator” or “ring leader” of an orchestrated crime wave, but Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio said the court cannot ignore the fact that Leon Guerrero was the only adult involved in this crime.

Instead of setting a positive example for misguided minors, Kim-Tenorio said Leon Guerrero instructed and watched them steal from WSR between Dec. 20 and 21, 2014.

“In doing so, defendant robbed students of valuable resources and a safe learning environment,” Kim-Tenorio said.

The four teens stole computer equipment and hardware tools in order to trade them for crystal methamphetamine or “ice.”

The judge said the presentence investigation report showed that Leon Guerrero has four prior felonies and has been in the criminal justice system since he was 21 years old.

While he has paid for these crimes, he shows little to no ability of rehabilitation, said Kim-Tenorio, made worse by his admission that he smokes “ice” whenever it is available to him, despite his responsibilities to two dependents.

The judge noted that the pre-sentence investigation report prepared by the Office of Adult Probation reveals that Leon Guerrero grew up with a family involved with drug trafficking, did not benefit from a high school education, and lacked the means to provide for himself or his family.

“This suggests that defendant lacked supportive role models, proper structure, and an opportunity to rise above his circumstances,” Kim-Tenorio said.

Despite Leon Guerrero’s harrowing life surrounded by crime and drug abuse, the judge said, his family describes him as a “good father” and non-violent person.

Kim-Tenorio said the court recognizes Leon Guerrero’s challenges but pleading guilty to a crime is not without consequence and he must be held accountable.

After completing the prison term, Leon Guerrero will be placed on supervised probation for five years, during which he is prohibited from possessing or consuming any alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.

The defendant was ordered to pay a $100 fine, plus court costs and probation fees. He was required to perform 200 hours of community service and pay restitution with his co-defendants to WSR in the amount of $1,800.68 before the expiration of his probation.

He is required to stay at least 100 yards away from WSR, and complete drug and alcohol counseling.

Leon Guerrero was ordered to report to the Department of Corrections by 5pm last Tuesday. Saipan Tribune learned that he did not show up, prompting police to seek a bench warrant for his arrest.

As of yesterday, Leon Guerrero was already at Corrections. It was not clear whether he reported late or if he was arrested.

The Office of the Attorney General charged Leon Guerrero with burglary, theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary and theft. He pleaded guilty to burglary in June. The remaining charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.

Assistant attorney general Heather Barcinas recommended a three-year prison term.

“Based on defendant’s criminal history, his chronic addiction to ‘ice,’ and his contribution to criminal activity and juvenile delinquency in the Commonwealth, a strong sentence is necessary in order for the defendant to realize the consequences of committing crimes,” Barcinas said.

The prosecutor said the need to reflect the seriousness of the offense and promote respect for the law is also an aggravating factor.

“The crime of burglary has not only had a negative effect on the citizens of the Commonwealth, but also on the value of properties, the cost to replace resources for our classrooms, and the economy,” she said.

In this case, Barcinas said Leon Guerrero used four teenagers to break into WSR to steal computer equipment and tools in order to barter them for “ice.”

In exchange, Barcinas said, Leon Guerrero would make the teenagers smoke “ice” and allow them to “hang out” at his house, contributing to juvenile delinquency in the Commonwealth.

“It is hard to imagine [how] an adult with children of his own would poison our children, as young as 14, 16, and 19 years old, with such a drug,” she said.

In this case, several classrooms, the library, and the maintenance room were broken into and several computer equipment and hardware tools were stolen, the total value being $8,877.40.

She said the classrooms were trashed and vandalized with graffiti.

“This shows a complete disregard for the laws of the Commonwealth, a disregard for the safety and prosperity of the community, and the livelihood of his family and the children of the Commonwealth,” Barcinas added.

Last October, Leon Guerrero’s co-defendant Vincent Gaza Sanchez, who is now 20, was slapped with a one-year prison term for his role in the WSR burglary and another burglary at the Office of the Public Defender in Susupe.

Saipan Tribune learned that the three other juveniles also pleaded guilty and were already sentenced.

In 2002, Leon Guerrero was convicted of robbery and sentenced to seven years in prison. While on parole, he violated his parole conditions when he committed the offenses of burglary and forgery in 2007. He was slapped with two years in prison.

Upon release from jail, Leon Guerrero was arrested again and eventually pleaded guilty to illegal possession of “ice” in 2010, according to court documents.