Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong sentenced Antonio “Tony” Borja for illegally taking undersized green sea turtle and conspiracy .The court, on July 4, sentenced the defendant to serve two years of his suspended sentence in a previous case and two years of his suspended sentence in another case.The court in another case sentenced Borja to three years of imprisonment all suspended to be served consecutively to the sentence previously imposed in Criminal Case Nos. 06-155 and 06-235.During the sentencing hearing in Melekeok , Friday, government prosecutors argued that “ Borja is a repeat offender who has contempt for the legal system, the judicial system and for the fish and wildlife of Palau.”The prosecution side said that because of Borja’s history has “shown that the only way to keep him from fishing illegally in Palau’s water is to keep him from fishing illegally in Palau’s waters to keep him in jail.”In the sentencing hearing told Borja, “ you are a very selfish man. The purpose of our conservation laws is to save our fish and wildlife. You have been endangering the resources of all Palauans.”Assistant Attorney General Ron Ledgerwood represented the government in the case.Borja entered a plea agreement prior to the sentencing.Ngiraklsong in his three-page sentence said that Borja’s probation is subjected to certain conditions.The defendant was ordered to obey laws of the country, he is not allowed to scuba dive nor handle or touch scuba equipment.Borja was also ordered to forfeit to the national government and forever relinquish any claim and or ownership interest in any item seized by the Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection.The order said that any violation of the conditions may result to the revocation of the defendant;s suspended sentence.
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