Laurence Sablan Kalen appeared in court for the hearing yesterday with his court-appointed counsel Bruce Berline. The federal government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Beverly McCallum.
Berline said his client was late for the hearing because of “problems with transportation.”
The court had to go into a 10-minute recess to wait for Kalen’s arrival.
Berline said his client needs a new third-party custodian. He also asked the court to remove the electronic monitoring device for Kalen as the house of the current third party custodian does not have electricity.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Alex R. Munson granted the motion after meeting no objections from the federal government.
Kalen is out on a $5,000 unsecured bond but he is subject to several conditions set by the court. He has to observe a 3-6 a.m. curfew and not leave the CNMI without the court’s permission.
Kalen was arrested with Greggory Sablan Kalen and Manny Aldan Sablan on April 24, 2008.
The three were indicted for one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
The indictment stated that from Dec.1 to 13, 2007 the defendants conspired to distribute methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly known as ice.
The indictment added that on Dec.1, 2007, they distributed approximately 0.17 grams of ice. On Dec. 13, 2007, the defendants distributed approximately 0.10 net grams of ice.
Kalen and his co-defendants entered a not guilty plea.
