By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
A CO-DEFENDANT in the case against Jeremy Guillermin has been charged with accessory after the fact and obstructing justice for helping Guillermin escape police custody on the night of his arrest.
Superior Court Judge Joseph N. Camacho on Monday set bail at $20,000 cash for Aikman Bodobang Byron, 27, a Palauan national who, like Guillermin, was undergoing Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting training on Saipan. Prosecutors allege that Byron opened the door of a police vehicle, allowing Guillermin to flee. CCTV footage reviewed by investigators also shows Byron and Guillermin speaking with the victim, Alvin Remamba, outside Relox Bar in Garapan, where Guillermin appears to confront and push Remamba. Byron was subsequently terminated from the ARFF program following the incident.
Byron faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted. He is represented by Assistant Public Defender Emily Thomsen, while Assistant Attorney General Daniel Johnson appeared for the government at the bail hearing. Byron was remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections and ordered to return for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. and for arraignment on Jan. 5 at 9 a.m.
Guillermin, 29, faces voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and battery, and obstructing justice charges in connection with Remamba’s death. However, Judge Camacho dismissed without prejudice a separate escape charge, ruling that the statute applies only to prisoners legally held in jail or awaiting trial. Guillermin had been detained at the scene for investigation.
Police Officer Koji Taisacan testified that Remamba flagged him down on Nov. 16 outside Relox Bar, reporting that Guillermin was trying to fight him. Taisacan said he saw Guillermin punch Remamba in the face, causing him to fall backward and strike his head on the pavement. Remamba was hospitalized and died Nov. 20 from brain bleeding and swelling.
Detective Myron Laniyo told the court that Guillermin claimed Remamba had pushed him several times and was the one asking for a fight. Laniyo said investigators reviewed CCTV footage from Relox Bar and the adjacent Safe House bar showing interactions between Guillermin, Byron, and the victim.
Judge Camacho also denied Guillermin’s request to be released to a third-party custodian, citing his lack of local ties and his escape on the night of his arrest.
According to testimony, Guillermin fled from the back seat of a patrol car after another ARFF trainee opened the door. He was later found at his apartment in San Antonio, still in handcuffs, barefoot, and with sand on his clothes.
At the time of the incident, Guillermin was also undergoing ARFF training on Saipan. Attorney Brien Sers San Nicolas, who represents Guillermin, filed a motion to reconsider the denial of his request for bail modification.
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.
