Detainee confesses to smoking pot at DOC

A detainee has admitted to smoking marijuana inside the Department of Corrections in Susupe, according to the U.S. Probation Office.

U.S. Probation Officer Melinda N. Brunson stated in her report that on June 12, 2008, Dominic D. Chipwelong went to her office and admitted that he smoked marijuana on May 31, 2008, while detained at DOC.

Brunson said Chipwelong reported that he encountered several men smoking marijuana inside DOC’s restroom.

The men apparently offered the defendant some marijuana and he accepted.

Chipwelong, 24, claimed that he could not recall the names of the men and stated he would not be able to identify them again.

Brunson said the defendant signed a written statement that he smoked marijuana on May 31, 2008.

The results of Chipwelong’s urine test confirmed the presence of marijuana, Brunson said.

Chipwelong, James Ochcha, and Masaioshy Daikichi Sallem, all Chuukese, were indicted on charges of conspiracy to sell government property and theft of government property. In addition, Ochcha was charged with destruction of a veterans’memorial.

The three allegedly engaged in a conspiracy to steal portions of the metal lighting units from the American Memorial Park and selling them to a recycling center in November 2007.

Last Tuesday, Ochcha entered a guilty plea. On Thursday, Chipwelong pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell government property and theft of government property.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson accepted Chipwelong’s plea and set the sentencing for Oct. 7, 2008 at 9:30am.

In her report, Brunson said Chipwelong tested positive for marijuana during random tests on June 13, 18, 19, and 20 in 2008.

Brunson said that during her interview prior to his arrest in connection with the federal court case, Chipwelong had admitted that he was a chronic marijuana user, having smoked on a daily basis for about seven years.

The probation officer, however, pointed out that on June 26, 2008, the defendant’s drug test was negative for marijuana and other illicit substances.

Brunson said her report was for informational purposes only and she recommended to the court that no action against Chipwelong be taken at this time.