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Ex-cop’s ‘ice’ trafficking case dismissed
The case of trafficking of methamphetamine or “ice” filed against former police officer Victor Val Hocog has been dismissed with prejudice, which means the Office of the Attorney General can no longer re-file the case.
The 43-year-old Hocog had been charged with trafficking of a controlled substance and illegal possession of a controlled substance.
Superior Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja ordered the dismissal of Hocog’s case last month following the OAG’s motion to drop the charges, according to court documents obtained by Saipan Tribune last week.
In the government’s motion to dismiss, assistant attorney general Chester Hinds said the Commonwealth believes it is in the interest of justice to dismiss this case with prejudice. He did not elaborate.
At a status conference in May 2017, Hinds disclosed that OAG and Hocog and his counsel, Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig, were negotiating on how to resolve the case.
OAG filed the case on March 8, 2017.
OAG investigator George Fleming David alleged that their “cooperating source” managed to buy $240 worth of “ice” from Hocog during a buy-walk operation in the parking lot of a store in As Lito on Sept. 15, 2016.
Hocog was arrested on Oct. 10, 2016, over the alleged Sept. 15 drug transaction. He was subsequently released after he offered to serve as a confidential informant to authorities.
The OAG later moved to revoke his release. Hocog was not re-arrested and instead was summoned to appear in court on March 13, 2017.
At the March 13 arraignment, Hocog pleaded not guilty.
On Sept. 25, 2014, Hocog was sentenced to 15 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a controlled substance. He was given credit for 226 days of time served.
In 2011, Hocog pleaded guilty to assault and battery in a domestic violence case. Naraja sentenced him to one year in prison, all suspended except for nine days. Naraja gave him credit for the nine days of time served.
