Man in domestic violence case agrees to plead guilty

A man who is being accused of beating his girlfriend has accepted the plea offer of the prosecution last Tuesday; that means he will now plead guilty to the allegations.

Brandon Mundo Aldan, 21, through his lawyer, Joey Patrick San Nicolas, informed the court that he has reached an agreement with the prosecution and would like to change his plea.

Under the agreement, Aldan would plead guilty to assault and battery. In exchange, all other charges against him would be dropped.

Aldan was originally charged with assault and battery, strangulation, and criminal mischief.

The agreement also states that Aldan would be sentenced to a one-year imprisonment, all suspended except for the three days he has already served.

Aldan will be placed on two years of probation and required to serve 100 hours of community service, pay a fine of $500, pay off court and probation fees, participate in counseling, and submit to urine or blood testing.

Aldan is barred from drinking alcohol and using any controlled substance while under probation.

Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert Naraja ordered Aldan to return to court on Aug. 13 for a review hearing.

Aldan, a Tinian resident, was arrested after attending a party last March 9 for allegedly throwing a tire at his girlfriend in a fit of rage. He also allegedly choked and punched her.

The victim then called the Department of Public Safety at about 10:14pm, asking for police assistance.

At the scene, officers noticed that the victim had a slight swelling on her face and damage to the vehicle she was in.

The victim told police that she and Aldan had attended a family party prior to the incident. She said Aldan got drunk at the party and tried to pick a fight with everyone at the party, even his own brother.

As the victim and Aldan were leaving, she said that they offered Aldan’s brother and his girlfriend a ride but, during the ride, Aldan and his brother got into an argument. Aldan made his brother and his girlfriend get out of the car and told them to walk home.

The victim said she then pulled over at the Natibu Park and got into an argument with Aldan, who slapped the victim and punched her before exiting. Aldan then walked over to the passenger side and choked the victim. After that, Aldan took a spare tire from behind the car and threw it at the windshield. Aldan also took a pipe from behind the car and hit the victim’s vehicle.

Aldan ran away after the victim called the police but he was later traced back to his house where he was arrested.