Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong in his order on Wednesday said that there is probable cause to believe that each count in the information has been committed by Dugan.
Chief Justice Ngiraklsong held Dugan for custody to answer his charges.
Dugan through Public Defender Jason Shaw filed a motion to reconsider his bond which is set at $200,000 cash and motion to release his property.
The court has no ruling yet on Dugan’s motion to reconsider his cash bond but on Dugan’s motion to release his property, the court denied it.
However Chief Justice Ngiraklsong stated in his order dated October 27 that Dugan is entitled for copy information from either his wallet and or telephone in order to allow him to contact individuals in his attempt to post bail.
The court said that “the court recognized Dugan’s circumstance that of being an American citizen with no ties to Palau, he shall be allowed to copy information from either his wallet or telephone in order to allow him to contact individuals in his attempt to post bail.”
Dugan’s wallet and cell phone and other belongings were seized by the authorities during his arrest last week. These items were being held as evidence.
The government through Assistant Attorney General Ronald Ledgerwood in their opposition to the said motion said that Dugan’s previous conviction for wire fraud and the nature of the transactions involved in the charged offenses here indicate strong likelihood that in particular the information related to international calls on the cellular telephone will lead to additional evidence against the defendant and potentially other defendants.
At the preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Dugan through Jason Shaw also requested the court if he could hire his own lawyer.
Chief Justice Ngiraklsong granted his request and allowed him to hire his own lawyer.
He also filed a motion for preliminary hearing which was granted and was heard on Tuesday.
Chief Justice Ngiraklsong issued a ruling on the preliminary hearing Wednesday after hearing.
