An ex-convict arrested by the CNMI Drug Enforcement Task Force in August for allegedly selling methamphetamine or \u201cice\u201d on Saipan pleaded guilty yesterday to illegal possession of a controlled substance.<\/p>\n
John Richard Palacios Deleon Guerrero will be sentenced on May 17, 2017 at 9am. He asked for a presentence investigation report.<\/p>\n
His jury trial on Jan. 30, 2017, was vacated and he was remanded into the custody of the Department of Corrections. <\/p>\n
Last Aug. 30, the Office of the Attorney General charged Deleon Guerrero with two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance, two counts of illegal possession of a controlled substance, one count of conspiracy to commit trafficking of a controlled substance, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition. The charges carry a total maximum sentence of 100 years.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the OAG amended the charges to only a count of illegal possession of a controlled substance. All other charges were dropped. If convicted of this one charge, Deleon Guerrero faces a possible prison sentence of five years only.<\/p>\n
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho said it is the OAG that decides what charges to file and the court can only hear the case.<\/p>\n
The judge noted that Deleon Guerrero has prior criminal convictions in four cases charging him with attempts, assault with a dangerous weapon, burglary, and possession of a controlled substance. <\/p>\n
In his latest case, Deleon Guerrero, 40, also known as Massi and or Penny, was found in possession of .70 gross grams of crystal methamphetamine.<\/p>\n
A \u201cconfidential source\u201d told police that John Massi, later identified as Deleon Guerrero, has been selling \u201cice\u201d on Saipan. The \u201csource\u201d claimed that he\/she had previously managed to buy $120 worth of \u201cice\u201d from Deleon Guerrero.<\/p>\n
During a buy-operation, the \u201cconfidential source\u201d managed to buy .70 gross grams of \u201cice\u201d worth $120 from Deleon Guerrero outside his residence in Lower Miha in Garapan last Aug. 18. It was Deleon Guerrero\u2019s alleged drug associate who handed the \u201cice\u201d to the \u201cconfidential source.\u201d<\/p>\n
In May 2015, Deleon Guerrero pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a controlled substance and was slapped with a one-year prison term. In that case he reportedly engaged police officers in a car chase and threw away a small bag containing \u201cice.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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