By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
ANGEL Paras Cruz Jr., owner of Villa De Cruz Apartelle and World Electric & Construction Co. Inc., was sentenced to a three-year term of probation and a 12-month term of home detention after pleading guilty last year to three counts of visa fraud in federal court.
District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona issued the sentence on June 23 following a half-day hearing that included testimony from a Diplomatic Security Service special agent, two defense witnesses, and statements from two victims. Cruz was out of custody and was represented by retained attorneys Robert Torres and Mark Scoggins.
Cruz admitted in his guilty plea that he submitted false documents and misrepresentations in support of visa applications tied to his businesses. The fraudulent filings prompted a Diplomatic Security Service investigation and led to a multi-count indictment. After accepting Cruz’s plea to three visa-fraud counts, the court granted the government’s motion to dismiss Counts I and V–XIII.
During sentencing, the court reviewed the Final Presentence Investigation Report, which outlined the offense conduct and restitution owed to six victims. Court records show Cruz had already paid part of his financial obligations but still owed a remaining balance. The judge ordered him to pay a $15,000 fine, including $7,800 due within 30 days, along with a $300 special assessment fee. The court further directed him to pay full restitution to six victims.
Cruz delivered his allocution before sentencing, and the court advised him of his appeal rights. His passport remains in the custody of U.S. Probation.
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.
