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4 arrested for alleged taking of birds
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Posted on Apr 28 2006
Special agents from the Division of Fish and Wildlife arrested on Thursday former Rep. Ignacio DLG. Demapan and three other men for allegedly taking endangered birds.
Demapan, George L. Teregeyo, Leon H. Lizama, and Jesus H. Lizama, were separately charged in federal court with taking an endangered species.
During Thursday’s hearing, U.S. District Court for the NMI designated Judge David A. Wiseman temporarily released the defendants on $10,000 unsecured bonds.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Wiseman granted the U.S. government’s motion to unseal the cases.
Demapan, 54, who appeared with counsel Ray Quichocho, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Wiseman set the jury trial for June 19, 2006.
The arraignment for Teregeyo and the Lizamas was set for May 1 at 9am.
According to the indictment, between February and March 2004, Demapan took endangered species of wildlife—one or more nightingale reed-warblers.
Teregeyo, 58, a businessman, allegedly took endangered species of wildlife—one or more nightingale reed-warblers between March and April 2005.
The indictment said Leon Lizama, 50, and Jesus Lizama, 44, allegedly took endangered species of wildlife—one or more nightingale reed-warblers between July and Aug. 2005.
No other details were given in the indictment.
Saipan Tribune learned that the Division of Fish and Wildlife claimed they had informed the defendants about the presence of the endangered birds nesting in their respective lands.
The defendants allegedly cleared their lands, including the portion where the nesting of the birds were located.
