Reservist Jucutan pleads not guilty

Jordan M. Jucutan, a teacher and a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, pleaded not guilty yesterday to allegations that he stole referral bonuses from the U.S. Army Reserves totaling $9,000 by fraudulently claiming that he recruited five potential soldiers and claiming the cash incentives for himself.

Jucutan, through court-appointed counsel Pamela Brown-Blackburn, entered a not guilty plea during his initial court appearance yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the NMI.

Magistrate Judge Heather L. Kennedy released Jucutan on his own recognizance with some conditions.

Assistant U.S. attorney Russell Lorfing said the U.S. government has no problem releasing the defendant on his own recognizance.

Jury trial will begin in February 2016.

An indictment charged Jucutan with theft of government property, five counts of aggravated identity theft, and nine counts of wire fraud.