AFTER a bench trial on Monday, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho found Shanguo Zhang guilty of vandalism for shattering a ports police vehicle window.
But the judge did not find Zhang, 43, guilty of disturbing the peace.
Zhang will be sentenced on Dec. 15 at 10 a.m.
Judge Camacho also held a revocation hearing Monday for Zhang’s previous case in which he pled guilty to spraying paint on a police K-9 vehicle parked at the Department of Public Safety central office.
In that case, Judge Camacho found that Zhang violated his probation in another previous case.
The judge imposed a sentence of three months on the defendant and remanded him to the custody of CNMI Marshals who transported him to the Department of Corrections so he could start serving his sentence.
According to court documents, on June 15, 2021, Zhang was at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport and was told by Port Police Officer Jason Cruz to use a face mask as required by the Covid-19 rules.
In response, Zhang picked up a rock and hit the ports police office, damaging its window. Zhang was then arrested.
In his sentencing order, Judge Camacho said Zhang hitting and damaging the ports police office window “does not amount to the level of disturbing the peace as defined by law.”
The judge likewise noted that at the time of the incident, Zhang was still on probation related to a previous case, and was required to obey all the CNMI and federal laws.
Zhang was represented by Assistant Public Defender Vena Seelam while Brandon Doggett served as Zhang’s interpreter.
Assistant Attorney General Steven Kessel appeared for the government.
In March 2021, Judge Camacho sentenced Zhang to six months in prison, with the first 15 days to be served day for day without the possibility of parole, early release, weekend release or other similar programs after the defendant pled guilty to tampering with a vehicle.
The judge gave Zhang 12 days’ credit for time served, but the defendant was also placed on a six-month probation after serving his sentence.
In July 2020, Zhang was arrested for criminal mischief and disturbing the peace after damaging the glass doors at the governor’s office.
Zhang, who describes himself as jobless and homeless, is a citizen of the People’s Republic of China and reportedly holds a daily protest action against the Chinese Communist Party at the Civic Center across from the judicial building in Susupe.
Shanguo Zhang holds a sign during a protest action on Beach Road across from the judicial building in Susupe in this file photo.
