By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
DEPARTMENT of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Sylvan O. Igisomar, acting Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Rosemary C. Camacho, and DFW Conservation Officer Ignacio I. Yiftheg all pleaded not guilty Monday morning to charges stemming from the alleged personal use of an agency boat and vehicle.
The three defendants entered their pleas before Superior Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja during an arraignment. Igisomar was represented by attorney Viola Alepuyo, who appeared via Microsoft Teams. Camacho was represented by attorney Anthony Aguon, while Yiftheg was represented by public defender Emily Thomsen. All defense attorneys waived the reading of rights and charges and entered not-guilty pleas on behalf of their clients.
Judge Naraja scheduled a status conference for the three defendants on Feb. 12 at 10 a.m.
After the hearing, Igisomar told reporters: “We just entered a plea of not guilty. This is a terrible cloud to be under, and I can’t wait to clear my name.”
Igisomar, 49, is charged with misconduct in public office, theft of services, and child endangerment. Camacho, 57, and Yiftheg, 45, each face three counts of misconduct in public office, forgery, and conspiracy.
According to court documents, Igisomar allegedly used a DFW law enforcement boat and a DLNR vehicle on Sept. 28, 2024, for personal transportation between Saipan and Managaha. He is accused of diverting government property for his own benefit and that of his two children. He also faces a child endangerment charge for allegedly placing his children at risk by transporting them on the official boat without authorization.
Camacho and Yiftheg are accused of altering daily activity reports of DFW employees Kimo R. Lisua and Branden A. Manglona to conceal the unauthorized use. Yiftheg allegedly facilitated Igisomar and his children’s transportation aboard the agency boat for personal purposes.
As acting DFW director, Camacho is accused of failing to discipline Yiftheg for the unauthorized trip, according to the complaint.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
