HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A man pleaded not guilty to charges related to sexually assaulting two girls, age 11 and 13.
On Tuesday afternoon, Manuel Greg Arriola appeared in the Superior Court of Guam to answer to charges of three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct as first-degree felonies.
Manuel Arriola was accused of raping an 11- and 13-year-old girl, court documents state.
Manuel Arriola, who was represented by Dean Manglona of the Civille and Tang private law firm, pleaded not guilty to the charges and waived his right to a speedy trial.
Manuel Arriola’s next hearings will be before Judge Maria Cenzon.
Co-defendants
Manuel Arriola’s co-defendants in the case, Patrick Robert Duenas Arriola, Norman Sablan Santos and 16-year-old Paul Aguero, also appeared. However, the three did not answer to their charges because their attorneys withdrew from the case.
Patrick Arriola’s appointed attorney John Brown withdrew due to his lack of experience in a criminal case where Patrick Arriola faces life imprisonment if convicted of the charges.
Similarly, Santos’ appointed attorney Michael Gatewood requested to withdraw because, he said, “I just don’t have any real criminal trial experience” and, being a solo practitioner, doesn’t have much time to dedicate to Santos’ case.
Aguero’s attorney, Terrence Brooks, also withdrew but stated he hasn’t had a “significant criminal case in more than 30 years,” adding there were additional problems considering Aguero is a minor and faces time in prison for the rest of his life.
“I just don’t believe I have the ability or knowledge to represent him at this time,” Brooks stated.
Magistrate Judge Benjamin Sison Jr. granted the three attorneys’ requests to withdraw and appointed new ones to represent the defendants, who will appear in court next on April 9.
Charges
Manuel Arriola, Patrick Arriola, Santos and Aguero were all charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct as first-degree felonies after two minors, an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old girl, reported on Feb. 1 that the defendants sexually assaulted them.
According to court documents, the 11-year-old girl told police Manuel Arriola had been touching her sexually since she was in first grade and raped her twice on separate occasions. The 13-year-old girl also accused Manuel Arriola of raping her.
An 18-year-old girl also accused Manuel Arriola of raping her, documents state.
Patrick Arriola was accused by the 11-year-old girl of touching her sexually and raping her inside a van, while the 13-year-old girl also accused Patrick Arriola of groping her on numerous occasions and allegedly bribed her to have sex with him by offering her a vape, documents state.
Santos allegedly touched the 11-year-old girl when she was in fourth grade and raped her.
The 13-year-old girl accused Aguero of groping her on at least one occasion, while the 11-year-old girl reported Aguero had sexual intercourse with her, charging documents state.
Manuel Arriola
