U.S. Probation Officer Juanette David-Atalig on Monday requested the District Court for the NMI to modify the pretrial release conditions for Lee Jesse Omar Reyes, who tested positive for methamphetamine use last week.
Reyes is one of the defendants in a case alleging conspiracy to transport illegal aliens to Guam last year. He was released on Jan. 30, 2024, on a $1,000 unsecured bond, with conditions that included pretrial supervision and random drug testing.
His two other co-defendants — boat captain Ramon Jose Quitano Sablan and his crewmember, Maverick Ryan Iguel Marlik — have also tested positive for meth use.
In her request for modification of Reyes’s conditions of release, David-Atalig asked the federal court to include substance abuse treatment for which the defendant will be referred to the Community Guidance Center for an assessment. His compliance will be monitored, and any additional violations will be reported to the court.
David-Atalig also asked the court to require that the defendant not use or unlawfully possess a narcotic drug or other controlled substances.
She informed the court that after Reyes tested presumptive positive for meth on Feb. 7, 2024, he signed an admission of drug use form.
During a non-compliance meeting, he said he needed help, citing his history of drug use. He said he wants to avail himself of substance abuse treatment.
Also on Feb. 7, Reyes and his court-appointed attorney, Mark A. Scoggins, agreed to modify the conditions of the defendant’s release by requiring Reyes to participate in a program of in-patient or out-patient substance abuse therapy and counseling if directed by a pre-trial services office or supervising officer.
Reyes, Yan Juan Hu Taitano, Ramon Jose Quitano Sablan and Maverick Ryan Iguel were arrested earlier this month, and charged with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens to Guam.
The Chinese nationals who attempted to illegally enter Guam agreed to pay Taitano and Reyes up to $5,000 for the boat trip from Saipan to Guam, the indictment stated.
