Vicente Taitano Fitial was also placed on probation for one year by Associate Judge Ramona V. Manglona.
Fitial appeared with his counsel, Assistant Public Defender Matthew Holley, for the change of plea hearing on Sept. 10.
The government was represented by Assistant Attorney General Jefferey L. Warfield, Sr.
The defendant was advised of his constitutional rights and the maximum penalty of the offense. He waived his rights and pleaded guilty which the court accepted.
The court ordered Fitial to comply with certain conditions which include keeping all appointments with his probation officer, paying the court assessment fee of $100, an annual probation of $100, writing a letter of apology of at least 50 words and having no further disputes with the victim.
He will likewise perform 120 hours community work at a minimum of 10 hours per month, with no conversion to a fine. He must obey all CNMI and federal laws.
The order stated that failure to comply with the conditions “shall constitute a violation of the terms of the suspended sentence and shall subject the defendant to revocation proceedings.”
Fitial was ordered to return to court for a review hearing on Dec. 10 at 9 a.m. Failure to appear could result to the issuance of a bench warrant.
Fitial was charged with one count of child abuse on Feb. 23, 2006. The victim was a 10-year-old child.
