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Man gets 10 months for stealing lighting units at memorial park
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Posted on Oct 07 2008
The federal court yesterday imposed a 10-month prison term on a man who was among three men accused of conspiring to steal portions of the metal lighting units at the American Memorial Park.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson sentenced Dominic Chipwelong to 10 months for conspiracy to sell government property and theft of government property.
After serving the prison term, the 24-year-old Chipwelong will be placed on three years of supervised release.
The defendant was required to immediately pay $35,490 jointly with co-defendant James Ochcha as restitution.
Chipwelong was also ordered to pay a $200 special court assessment fee and perform 100 hours of community service.
During the probationary period, the defendant is prohibited from using controlled drugs and consuming alcoholic beverages.
At the sentencing hearing, assistant U.S. attorney Beverly McCallum recommended a sentence of 10 months in jail. Defense attorney George Hasselback requested the court to impose home detention and partial detention.
Chipwelong, Ochcha, and Masaioshy Daikichi Sallem were indicted with conspiracy to sell government property and theft of government property.
In addition, Ochcha was charged with destruction of a veteran’s memorial.
The three were accused of engaging in a conspiracy to steal portions of the metal lighting units from AMP and selling them to a recycling center in November 2007.
Chipwelong and Ochcha entered a guilty plea. Ochcha’s sentencing was set for Oct. 27, 2008.
Sallem has maintained his innocence of the charges. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2008.
