One of the two men facing charges in the U.S District Court for the NMI for allegedly illegally trying to take a green sea turtle is set to change his plea. <\/p>\n
Russel Rekemel Solomon, one of the two men who are being sued for taking an endangered sea turtle, could not appear for a change of plea hearing last Monday so he asked the court to reschedule his hearing. Solomon was scheduled to change his plea yesterday but his plea agreement remains sealed. <\/p>\n
According to Saipan Tribune archives, Solomon and his co-defendant, Jose Machutaro Ichiro Sablan, are charged with conspiracy to unlawfully take an endangered species at the federal court. <\/p>\n
On June 7, Solomon and Sablan allegedly conspired to drag a sea turtle across Tank Beach in Kagman by a rope tied around the turtle\u2019s shell. The green sea turtle is considered an endangered species.<\/p>\n
The charge includes a notice of forfeiture to the U.S. government of any materials used for taking or selling of the endangered species. The notice listed two cell phones.<\/p>\n
Both defendants appeared before District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Manglona last Aug. 21 and initially pleaded not guilty before the court. <\/p>\n
Manglona then set the jury trial for Oct. 27, 2020 at 10am. The judge ordered Solomon and Sablan to be released on their own recognizance with certain conditions.<\/p>\n
David Banes was appointed by the court to represent Solomon, while Sablan is represented by Steven Pixley. Assistant U.S. attorney Garth Backe represented the federal government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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