Woman faces legal scrutiny for probation violations

The U.S. District Court for the NMI is poised to address the case of Vickilyn Manglona Teregeyo following a request from U.S. Probation officer Gregory Arriola to schedule a hearing regarding her alleged use of a controlled substance.

Teregeyo’s legal odyssey began with a conviction in Guam for the offense of drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Despite this, she was permitted to serve her probation in the CNMI under the federal court system.

Under the gavel of Guam District Court Chief Judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood in May 2019, Teregeyo received a sentence of time served, totaling 12 months and 18 days, along with a three-year term of supervised release. However, her journey took a detour when her supervised release was revoked in March 2022 by U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, prompted by Teregeyo’s admission of methamphetamine use.

Subsequently, Teregeyo was sentenced to a three-month prison term, followed by three months of home confinement/detention with electronic monitoring, as well as 27 months of supervised release. This fourth term of supervised release began on Nov. 24, 2023, with an expiration date set for May 23, 2025.

Despite these judicial interventions, Teregeyo found herself entangled in a web of probation violations, including testing positive for methamphetamine. Arriola’s petition for summons for an offender under supervision on Jan.16, 2024, marked the beginning of renewed legal proceedings.

Appearances before Manglona on Jan. 24 and subsequent dates revealed Teregeyo’s admission of drug test results and failure to comply with probation officer instructions. A warrant of arrest was granted on Feb. 9, 2024, after Teregeyo failed to respond to multiple attempts at contact.

Teregeyo’s self-surrender on Feb. 12, 2024, led to a revocation hearing before Manglona, where additional violations were reported, including Teregeyo’s admission of methamphetamine use on February 10, 2024.

Despite these infractions, Teregeyo was granted release to pursue residential substance abuse treatment at the HOPE Recovery Center, though subsequent actions, including rescinded authorizations and eviction from the facility, further complicated her legal standing.

Arriola, citing Teregeyo’s noncompliance, petitioned for the revocation of her supervised release, yet Manglona opted to allow Teregeyo to continue treatment at the HOPE Recovery Center.

As the legal saga unfolds, Teregeyo’s final disposition hearing is scheduled for July 10, 2024, amid a backdrop of escalating probation violations and judicial scrutiny.