A JURY yesterday found David Tanaka Diaz guilty of trafficking 144 grams of crystal methamphetamine and criminal mischief.
The six jurors reached their verdict after a few hours of deliberation.
Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama also determined that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of illegal possession of marijuana, illegal backing on a highway, reckless driving, failure to stop and give assistance, and fleeing or attempting to elude police officers.
Lizama ordered the Probation Office to make a pre-sentence report against the defendant for the charges of trafficking and criminal mischief.
The judge ordered the defendant to pay a $50 fine for illegal possession of marijuana, a $500 fine for backing on highway, a $500 fine for fleeing the scene, a $500 fine for failure to stop and a $1,000 fine for reckless driving.
Diaz was also sentenced to serve 1 year in jail for fleeing the scene and reckless driving.
The trial began on Monday.
Assistant Attorneys General Janine Udui and Daniel Cohan prosecuted the case. Court-appointed counsel Antonio M. Atalig served as lawyer for the defendant.
Last Aug. 29, Diaz was found in possession of 144 grams of crystal methamphetamine––authorities said it was the biggest single haul of “ice” since 1995.
Diaz packaged “ice” for distribution on the island at a hotel in Garapan before he was arrested, according to court documents.
The defendant was arrested in February and March 2001 for charges of assault and battery, burglary and contempt of court.
In 1992, Diaz was convicted by the federal and local courts for drug related offenses and was subsequently sentenced.
