Associate Judge Ramona V. Manglona reduced the recommended $50,000 bail to $12,000 cash bail after the defendant, Manuel Sotto Cabrera Jr., promised to appear for all scheduled court hearings.
The defendant was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, and sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree.
Sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree is when an offender commits the crime of sexual assault and engages in sexual contact with another person without that person’s consent; with a mentally incapable person who is entrusted to the offender’s care by law or in a facility/program; or with a person who is unaware that a sexual act is being committed.
Sexual abuse in the third degree happens when an offender subjects another person to sexual contact without that person’s consent.
The defendant was represented by Chief Public Defender Adam Hardwicke while Assistant Attorney General William Downer appeared on behalf of the government.
If he posts bail, the defendant is ordered to return to court whenever required to do so, obey all commonwealth laws, surrender travel documents, not leave Saipan without court permission, and stay away from seaports and airports.
He will also observe a 7 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew and must not have direct or indirect contact with the victim.
Manglona set the preliminary hearing for May 21 and the arraignment for June 1.
Detective Vincent S. Mareham stated in his affidavit that a caller reported the incident on April 21.
Mareham said a police officer went to the Commonwealth Health Center to talk to the victim who told him that she was sexually abused by the defendant.
The victim stated that the defendant picked her up at her house and they went to Tank Beach to talk.
The girl said she recalled asking the defendant on the phone how old he was.
The girl said he told the defendant she was 14 years old.
When interviewed by investigators, the defendant stated that he did pick up the victim at her house and they “drove around” until they reached Tank Beach.
The defendant also admitted kissing the girl and touching her inappropriately.
