Saipan Tribune

Monday, May 20, 2013

Monday, February 04, 2013

Ex-lawmaker pleads guilty to 'ice' possession

Former representative Raymond D. Palacios pleaded guilty on Friday to possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine or “ice” as part of a plea deal.

Superior Court associate judge Perry B. Inos set Palacios' sentencing for March 19, 2013 at 9am.

Illegal possession of a controlled substance carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail, not subject to suspension, parole, or probation, and fine of $2,000.

The Office of the Attorney General had charged the former lawmaker with two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance and two counts of illegal possession of a controlled substance. As part of the plea bargain, the remaining charges will be dismissed.

Palacios, 49, and his counsel, Joaquin DLG. Torres, signed the plea agreement.

Palacios refrained from issuing a statement after the hearing at the advice of his lawyer.

Under the plea agreement, it was agreed that the OAG may “make a recommendation or agree not to oppose the defendant's request for a particular sentence with the understanding that such request shall not be binding upon the court.”

Palacios also agreed that that he understands that his sentence is a matter solely within the court's control and that he is prepared to accept any punishment that the court sees fit to impose.

Palacios is out on bail after posting $3,000 cash and $27,000 in unsecured bond. Police arrested the lawmaker in October 2011.

According to police reports, members of the Drug Enforcement Task Force and Department of Public Safety's Criminal Investigation Bureau used a confidential source to buy a total of $200 worth of “ice” from Palacios in two transactions on Oct. 19, 2011.