THE CNMI Board of Parole on Friday granted the parole applications of Clifford Jack Palacios who was convicted of theft of a debit card; Travis John Camacho who was convicted of robbery; and Steven Hasugulgam who is serving a 10-year sentence for eight separate counts of burglary in different cases.
But the board denied the parole applications of Shawn Appleby who is serving a 42-year sentence for murder and escape; Joshua Indalecio Martin who is serving a 30-year prison term for sexual assault in the first degree; and Calistro Acosta Crisostomo who is serving a five-year sentence for burglary and theft.
Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds objected to the granting of parole to the inmates.
Hinds said Appleby’s parole history shows that he had not been able to adhere to the terms and conditions of his last two parole releases.
Hinds said aside from murder and escape, Appleby has been charged with other crimes that include conspiracy, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery, theft, riot, and numerous counts for burglary in separate cases.
As for Martin, Hinds said: “We believe the inmate is not suitable for parole.”
Citing the victim’s letter objecting to the early release of Martin, Hinds said, “We must seriously consider the protection of the people, most especially his victim and her rights. We must all be reminded of the unbearable long-term effects that this traumatic ordeal has placed on his victim. The victim will carry this experience . . . for the rest of her life. Serving the full maximum sentence for such an invasive crime is in the best interest of the victim, her family, the community and the Commonwealth.”
Regarding Crisostomo, Hinds said the inmate should serve his full sentence as he is clearly a threat to the safety and welfare of the Commonwealth.
In his objection to the release of Palacios, Hinds said the inmate should finish the remainder of his three-year sentence in confinement.
As for Camacho, he “committed robbery not only by unlawfully taking the property of his victim’s possessions, he also attacked the victim using both force and violence which resulted in injuries to the victim,” Hinds said.
For his part, Hasugulgam’s criminal history, his criminal conduct, along with the problems associated with his self-admission to alcohol and substance abuse are huge public safety concerns, Hinds said.
The Board of Parole members present at the hearing on Friday were chair Michael San Nicolas, vice chair Lucinda Selepeo, George Hocog, Vicente Borja, and Ignacio Mendiola.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie Healer serves as the board’s counsel.
The CNMI Board of Parole meets with Chief Parole Officer Nick Reyes on Friday morning.
