Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja sentenced the 43-year-old Luto to one year imprisonment, all suspended except for 30 days.
Luto is barred from reentering the commonwealth for at least 10 years, Naraja ordered.
He directed Luto to report to the Department of Corrections to start serving the remaining 25 days of his jail term.
Naraja credited five days already served by Luto at Corrections.
Luto will be released from prison on Nov. 17, 2010.
Naraja exonerated Luto’s $1,500 bail, and released his passport.
Luto has signed a plea agreement, admitting the charge of assault and battery.
The remaining charges of kidnapping and disturbing the peace filed by the Attorney General’s Office were dismissed with prejudice. This means they cannot be re-filed against him.
Upon release from prison, Luto will be placed on probation for the remainder of his suspended sentence under the supervision of the Adult Probation Office.
Luto was required to pay a $25 court assessment fee within 30 days, and a $90 probation fee payable by Nov. 18, 2010.
Assistant Attorney General Peter Prestley prosecuted the case while Assistant Public Defender Douglas Hartig served as Luto’s defense counsel.
On May 27, 2010, Luto arrived at the workplace of his former girlfriend who was then asked by the defendant to go with him to his barracks in Garapan, so they could talk.
Luto hailed a taxi and suddenly grabbed the victim’s arms and forced her inside the vehicle, the prosecution said.
