Kent Sebastian Robinson, a Washington, D.C. resident, appeared in federal court for his initial appearance under the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service yesterday.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Designated Judge David Wiseman imposed no bail for Robinson at this time.
Robinson appeared without an attorney while Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O’Malley prosecuted the case.
Designated Judge John C. Coughenour of the District Court for the Western District of Washington issued the arrest order against Robinson.
Robinson is being held on the charge of one count of fraudulent uttering of a private security, one count of making and uttering of a fictitious obligation, and one count of mail fraud.
The indictment stated that on Dec. 19, 2008 Robinson made and possessed a counterfeit and forged document, namely a secured funding and offset bond, purportedly registered with the U.S. Department of Treasury which declared its value as being $200 million.
The offset bond was then paid to the order of Oceania Insurance Corp., a company registered and doing business in the CNMI.
The indictment said Robinson sent or caused to be sent on Dec. 19, 2008 through an international carrier the offset bond to the CNMI.
It was then submitted to the CNMI insurance commissioner “in furtherance of a fraud” to the agency.
“No comment,” said O’Malley when asked by reporters if Oceania was under investigation.
During questioning by Wiseman, Robinson invoked his being a “sovereign citizen” who does not recognize any codes or rules of the U.S. government.
Robinson also refused to be represented by a court-appointed attorney although he told the court he is indigent.
Robinson said money was a non-relevant matter when asked by Wiseman if he could afford for a lawyer.
He also did not cooperate with a federal probation officer who interviewed him.
Wiseman said a court-appointed attorney will be on standby for Robinson.
The defendant filed a motion, challenging the venue of the proceedings.
Robinson reiterated that he “doesn’t recognize” rules but “understands” them.
“That’s my choice,” Robinson told the court.
Wiseman said the matter will be discussed after Robinson’s arraignment on March 29.
Robinson also requested to have access for his legal review and phone calls exceeding three minutes.
