Roque S. Norita and Julita Aldan Sablan made their initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. District Court for the NMI Designated Judge David A. Wiseman.
Norita and Sablan were charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute while on the premises where minor children were present or resided, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Benedetto is the prosecutor, while Norita was represented by attorney Bruce Berline and attorney G. Anthony Long represented Sablan.
Wiseman granted Benedetto’s motion for no bail for Norita due to his danger to the community.
Norita was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Wiseman set the trial of Norita and Sablan for Nov. 23.
Long moved for a different trial date, but Benedetto argued that Sablan and Norita are both defendants in the case and their trial date should remain the same.
Wiseman told the lawyers to confer and make a determination regarding a new trial date.
Sablan was remanded to custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The indictment stated that from Aug. 2008 to July 28, 2009, Norita and Sablan conspired to distribute “ice” on Saipan.
At least one of the transactions between Norita and Sablan and cooperating sources with the Drug Enforcement Administration occurred within 1,000 feet of Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School in San Roque, and involved .05 gram of “ice” on Feb. 19, 2009, the indictment stated.
Sablan was the source of supply for Norita, while Norita was the retail seller, runner, and intermediary for Sablan, the prosecution said.
Sablan and Norita were arrested on Sept. 17, 2009, together with a suspected courier, Inos F. Germinaro.
On Feb. 19, 2009, the prosecution said Norita possessed .062 gram of “ice” with intent to distribute it, while on premises in which an individual under 18 years old resided.
On Feb. 25, 2009, the indictment stated, Sablan intentionally possessed 1.2 grams of “ice” with intent to distribute it.
The other transactions with Sablan occurred at a poker arcade on July 27, 2009 involving possession of .12 gram of “ice,” and at a beach that involved possession of .07 gram of “ice” on July 28, 2009, both with intent to distribute it in Tanapag, the prosecution stated.
