Suspect in drug case turns himself in

The Superior Court has imposed a $10,000 cash bail on a drug defendant who allegedly turned himself in after he saw his picture on Facebook that was posted on the Department of Public Safety page.

Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho imposed yesterday a $10,000 cash bail on Steven Villagomez Pangelinan, who was allegedly caught on surveillance in possession of methamphetamine back in October. He allegedly turned himself in on Nov. 6, after he saw his picture on the Department of Public Safety’s Facebook page.

Pangelinan, 56, is currently facing a possession charge.

During his bail hearing yesterday, Pangelinan’s defense noted that he should be allowed to be released without bond and under his own recognizance since he had turned himself in to the police.

Camacho denied that motion and said that he would reconsider the bail requirement if Pangelinan can propose an eligible third-party custodian.

Following the bail hearing, Camacho remanded Pangelinan back to Department of Corrections custody and ordered him to return to court on Nov. 27 for a preliminary hearing. Pangelinan’s arraignment was set for Dec. 4 at 9am before Presiding Judge Roberto Naraja.

According to court documents, DPS received a call on Oct. 31 from the Koblerville Mobil gas station reporting the recovery of an illegal substance.

At the scene, the caller showed police two Ziploc baggies wrapped in paper towel that were filled with what appeared to be a crystal-like substance. The substance later tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Police officers went back to the establishment on Nov. 2 to review the surveillance footage.

The footage allegedly showed that on Oct. 31, 2023, at around 1:49pm, a local male, later identified as Pangelinan, park his car at one of the pumps before going inside. While walking into the establishment, police noticed a square object stuck between Pangelinan’s left heel and shoe. Police noted that the object remained on Pangelinan up until he exited the establishment and that’s when it fell on the ground where an employee later found it.

On Nov. 6, DPS’ front desk received a call from Pangelinan stating he saw himself on Facebook and wanted to clear his name.

At around 2pm, police interviewed Pangelinan and showed him photos from the surveillance footage. Pangelinan confirmed he was the man in the footage but the drug did not belong to him.