Manglona orders detention of Songsong

The federal court has ordered the detention pending trial of Vincent Masga Songsong, a man arrested by federal agents for allegedly having in his possession a laptop that contained child pornographic materials.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona found that the U.S. government had met is burden by clear and convincing evidence that there exists no condition or combination of conditions of Songsong’s release that will reasonably assure the safety of another person and the community.

Manglona remanded the defendant into the custody of the U.S. Marshal.

The judge cited the nature and circumstances of the offense involving the visual depiction of a minor who had not attained 12 years old engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Manglona also noted the weight of the evidence against Songsong, which includes his two detailed admissions and his seized computer and cell phone.

The judge also cited the defendant’s predatory conduct of conducting surveillance and photographing minors all around the island.

Jury trial of Songsong will be on May 26, 2015.

Songsong, who is represented by counsel Colin Thompson, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with one count of child pornography.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona set the jury trial for Feb. 2, 2015.

According to the indictment, from Feb. 17, 2014, until Feb. 25, 2014, Songsong knowingly possessed a laptop computer containing visual depiction of a child less than 12 years old engaging in sex.