Reyes was arrested in September and pleaded guilty in October for possession with intent to distribute “ice” to a cooperating source near the administration building in March last year.
“I admit it’s my fault. [There is] no to other to be blamed but me. I apologize to all, to the governor, the administration, his family, my family” Reyes told the court.
“I hope the court will give me a chance to get my life again,” an emotional Reyes went on to say.
In the gallery were Reyes’s immediate relatives who were seen wiping their tears.
Reyes recalled his “lost job and opportunities,” and thanked those who are helping him.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex Munson handed down the sentence after hearing Reyes’s statement as well as the arguments of Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Benedetto, who prosecuted the case, and attorney Robert Torres, who represented Reyes.
Benedetto recommended six months imprisonment and three years supervised release.
Torres concurred, and also asked the court to look into the medical condition of Reyes who is scheduled to go on medical referral to the Philippines on Jan. 25.
Munson noted that Reyes was a first-time offender who “accepted responsibility of his misconduct and cooperated in the investigation” of the matter.
Before adjourning the sentencing hearing, Munson told Reyes to better think twice when somebody offer him illegal drugs considering his medical condition as it “will literally kill” the defendant.
Munson said taking drugs with Reyes’s heart condition is like playing Russian roulette.
He also reminded Reyes that the court does not expect to see him again.
Otherwise, Munson said Reyes “will not get leniency” and Fitial’s former driver-bodyguard will be a “guest of a federal prison.”
In an e-mail, Torres said: “The ends of justice were served when the court meted a sentence which focused on rehabilitation while deterring criminal conduct by those employed in government.”
He added, “Apart from the notoriety of a conviction, Pete received probation, with home detention, in order to receive extended treatment for his medical and substance abuse treatment challenges.”
Torres said Reyes “is remorseful for his conduct which embarrassed his family and those who entrusted their care to him. Yet he is thankful for the support and assistance from the U.S. Probation Office; his treating counselors; and those whom have urged him to turn the corner away from drug abuse and toward providing for his family and helping his community.”
Benedetto told the court the “system did not work” with respect to Reyes’s screening as Fitial’s driver-bodyguard, fitness to carry a firearm, discovery of his substance abuse and recommended drug tests.
When asked by Munson for clarification, Benedetto said the CNMI Office of Personnel Management told a Department of Public Safety officer to “back off” regarding concerns about Reyes’s drug test results.
In the signed plea agreement, it was pointed out by Benedetto that OPM knew that Reyes yielded “confusing” results for his pre-employment requirements in 2006 under DPS as Fitial’s driver-bodyguard, but no repeat drug test was scheduled or required from him.
Torres told the court that there was no evidence that Fitial “impeded” the U.S. government’s investigation.