Rape case vs. Rota man dropped

Posted on Feb 15 2001

Superior Court Associate Judge Timothy H. Bellas dismissed Tuesday criminal charges filed against Rota resident James M. Pangelinan, earlier accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl with disability.

Government prosecutors made a motion to withdraw five counts of rape, assault and battery, and burglary charges against the 22-year-old defendant following an affidavit submitted by the victim last October 2000, recanting the accusations hurled against Mr. Pangelinan.

The victim, now 18 years old, earlier complained to authorities that she was assaulted and raped by Mr. Pangelinan inside her house.

She was later brought to the Rota Health Center for treatment.

A detective from the Rota Department of Public Safety who interviewed the suspect, also a minor at that time of the incident, said that Mr. Pangelinan admitted to having committed the crime against the victim, while he was staying at her family’s house.

With the case now dismissed, Mr. Pangelinan was released Tuesday from police custody. (MM)

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