By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

A MAN indicted on two counts of distribution of “ice” was allowed by the federal court to hire an investigator funded by the government.
U.S.. District Court for NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson in an order yesterday granted the motion of Edward S. Iriarte for a court-funded investigator.
Munson said Iriarte may expend up to $500 to obtain the services of an investigator to assist him with his defense.
Munson said should the need arises, Iriarte may petition the court for a greater amount.
Iriarte, through his lawyer Colin M. Thompson, submitted an application for a government-funded investigator on Tuesday.
Thompson stated in his declaration that there are witnesses to interview in order to prepare the defense and interviewing the witnesses requires the assistance of an investigator.
Thompson said Iriarte would pay for the investigator if he were not indigent.
Iriarte appeared in federal court on April 4 and waived his right to a speedy trial. He said he needed more time to prepare for trial.
The federal court set a May 21 jury trial for Iriarte.
The jury trial was originally set for Jan. 2.
The indictment stated that Iriarte, on Sept. 7, 2006, possessed with intent to distribute and distributed 15 grams of a controlled substance, a methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice.”
On Sept. 8, 2006, the indictment added, Iriarte also possessed with intent to distribute and distributed 20 grams of “ice.”