Manglona ruled that time already served by Wing Yee Tse, also known as Wing Yen Tse, at the CNMI Department of Corrections facility would not be counted as time served for this case.
The defendant had been in federal custody for 151 days at the time of her sentencing last week.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Benedetto, the prosecutor, recommended 15 months imprisonment.
Tse’s court-appointed defense attorney David Banes recommended a term of imprisonment for time already served.
The court sentenced Tse to a term of 15 months’ imprisonment for each count to run concurrently with credit for time served.
Upon release from prison, Tse will be placed on one year supervised release.
She will be turned over to a duly authorized immigration official for removal proceedings.
Tse will pay restitution in the amount of $19,466 in full and immediately after sentencing.
If restitution is not immediately paid after sentencing, Tse will participate in the Inmate Financial Responsibility Program as deemed necessary by the U.S. Bureau of Prison.
Tse will pay a $400 special assessment fee but all fines were waived since it has been determined she does not have the ability to pay.
She will complete 100 hours of community work service.
As part of the plea agreement, Tse agreed to cooperate with federal law enforcement agents concerning ongoing investigation.
Born in Hong Kong, Tse traveled to Guam on Sept. 26, 2010 and purchased or attempted to purchase high-end merchandise valued at around $26,000 using fake credit cards.
The prosecution said Tse also gave false information when she stated that she had not been arrested or convicted for possession of dangerous drugs in Hong Kong.
Tse earlier pleaded guilty in CNMI Superior Court to misuse of credit card when she purchased high-priced items at DFS Galleria on Oct. 30, 2010. She served six months in local jail and was placed on 10-year probation.
