My turn to tell the truth

I was falsely accused of illegal possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. This month, Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja cleared me of my conviction and has ordered my record to be erased “in the best interests of justice and the public.”

This is my side of the story and a good example of public corruption leading to my arrest.

Here’s some concrete information: Based on bad detective work, it took over 20 police officers to search and destroy my belongings (whatever happened to search and seizure?). My personal property were thrown on the dirt, pictures and frames were thrown to the floor, later stepped on and damaged, and other personal belongings that had sentimental value were destroyed and they did not find a single gun because there weren’t any! DPS went looking for weapons based on false pretenses arising from investigative information from a DPS confidential informant [name deleted]. And my brother Aniceto was arrested for having in his possession rifles issued by DPS and Boating Safety, so having the so-called weapons that led to his arrest—only to find out that he signed it out after all—was poor investigative work.

I was also falsely accused of beating up my ex-wife Felicidad. The supposed incident happened in October 2005 and was only reported four months later, which was in February 2006. My arrest was based on stale information and with no evidence to prove such allegation. The court dismissed this charge because it found no evidence of such allegation.

The picture is becoming clearer on the fabrication of the alleged offenses that led to my arrest. The charges were made up out of pure vengeance, abuse of authority and manipulation of other officers. This ignorance of law enforcement rules and DPS protocols has cost the morale of the DPS and loss of respect among dedicated officers. Officer Chris Deleon Guerrero, who was the case agent, had already come forward and apologized about the wrongdoing that was done to my brother and me, stating that he was pressured and force to do it.

In short, I did not say anything about killing the governor. I did not say, “Blow up DPS”; I did not commit the offense of assault and battery; I did not smuggle any guns; and I never possessed an illegal firearm.

I did sign a plea agreement to unlawful possession of ammunition. I trusted my lawyers’ recommendation and trusted their judgment and expertise. I was led to believe that it was a good deal. I guess I paid the price because now I know it was not—I got arrested based of my job description. The functions of my duties as the CNMI Range Master was reviewed and acknowledged by former attorney general Pam Brown and former governor Juan Babauta upon my employment with DPS.

Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have made a difference to their community, but I never had that problem. I was that which others did not want to be, and went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. Upon retiring from the Marine Corps with 22 years of career service, I wanted to come back to Saipan will all the trainings I received to assist and better educate our law enforcement personnel in their training capacity for ready tactical response, if need be.

I have a certification as a U.S. Marine Corps Weapons Instructor, certified to construct target ranges to include recreational target ranges, a certificate from the FBI Academy as firearms instructor, a certification from Smith and Wesson Academy for Advance Firearms Instructor in Tactical Weapons, a certified armorer from Massachusetts, a certification from Sigarm Academy in Indiana as a firearms instructor, U.S. Scuba Diver certification from Naval Submarine Station in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, certified Repel Master in Fort Cambell, Kentucky, and a certified U.S. Marine Corps drill instructor, not to mention other Marine Corps combat tactics. My last firearm instructor certification was with the Honolulu FBI that held its first training in Guam in 2005. In addition, I’ve trained and certified a couple of police officers and Fire personnel thru the Drill Instructor Course; they are presently instructing at DPS Academy.

In the short period that I was employed with DPS, I managed to complete the construction of the Range and Standard Operating Procedures for Firearm Training Facility (which didn’t exist prior to my arrival); conducted classes and certified safety officers for the shooting gallery, to include safety inspection for safe operation; introduced and assisted in the drafting of the 1st Firearms Safety Education Act in the CNMI, which is now Public Law 14-51; involved with the application of federal grants under the Safe Neighborhood Program to include public education in schools; and conducted firearms safety classes for all gun owners, among many other duties. I also upgraded the training proficiency uniform throughout the CNMI police.

The DPS and other law enforcement agency in the CNMI deserve to have a qualified range master who has all the credentials, experience and knowledge to perform the job effectively.

After everything that I’ve been through, I believe “there is no peace until there’s justice.” My peace and justice is to tell you the truth. As Judge Govendo told Attorney General St. Peter during my trial, “Don’t twist the wrong to make it right.”