Man facing jury trial tomorrow tests positive for ‘ice’

Francisco Muna Tydingco, a man who, along with his wife, is facing jury trial tomorrow in federal court on charges of harboring two illegal Chinese aliens, was tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine or “ice,” plus other pre-trial violations.

As this developed, assistant U.S. attorney Russell H. Lorfing, counsel for the U.S. government, on Thursday moved the federal court to order a four-week continuance of the trial of Francisco Tydingco and Lili Zhang Tydingco.

Lorfing said he is not prepared to bring this case to trial tomorrow because of limited time after the recently concluded trial of Jordan M. Jucutan, along with the issues that have arisen with their witness in preparation for trial.

U.S. Probation Officer Specialist Maria C. Cruz on Thursday asked the U.S. District Court for the NMI to issue a summons for Francisco Tydingco to appear at an order to show cause hearing to determine whether or not his pre-trial release should be modified or revoked.

Francisco Tydingco was arrested on Dec. 29, 2015 for harboring and was released from custody on Jan. 6, 2016, with many conditions, including drug testing and curfew restriction.

Probation Officer Cruz disclosed that last May 24, Francisco Tydingco appeared for a random drug test at Marianas Counseling Services, and the specimen tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Cruz said upon questioning, Franscisco Tydingco admitted smoking methamphetamine on May 21, and signed an admission form.

Cruz said the defendant also failed to appear for scheduled drug testing on May 23, 28, and 31, 2016.

Francisco Tydingco indicated that he did not call the urinalysis testing line on May 23 because he was busy tending to his sick daughter.

Cruz said the defendant failed to appear for a non-compliance meeting last May 30 and June 1.

A federal grand jury has indicted the couple for allegedly receiving money to harbor two illegal Chinese aliens, including a child they enrolled at a public school.

The indictment charged the Tydingcos with two counts of harboring illegal alien.

According to the indictment, beginning Sept. 28, 2013 and continuing through Feb. 19, 2015, the Tydingcos in reckless disregard of the fact that a minor child had come to and remained in the U.S. in violation of law, “did knowingly and intentionally conceal, harbor, or shield from detection,” the child, “in any place, including any building, for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain.”

Beginning July 25, 2014 and continuing Oct. 10, 2014, the Tydingcos allegedly did the same offense to conceal, harbor, or shield the child.

According to Homeland Security Investigations Task Force officer Jesse Dubrall, the child’s purported uncle stated in an interview that he paid Lili Tydingco $7,000 in exchange for helping him enter into a fake marriage and obtain a green card.

Dubrall said the parents of the child admitted that they agreed to pay Lili Tydingco between $15,000 and $20,000 to take their child to Saipan and get her a green card.