By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
A Palauan national undergoing Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) training on Saipan was arrested early Sunday morning for allegedly assaulting a man in Garapan—and briefly escaped police custory only to be re-arrested.
Jeremy Meseche Guillermin, 29, is facing charges of aggravated assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and obstructing justice.
He appeared Monday morning for a bail hearing before Superior Court Judge Joseph N. Camacho while in the custody of the Department of Corrections.
Assistant Public Defender Molly Dennert was appointed to represent him, while Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds represented the government.
Dennert requested that her client be allowed to post 10 percent of the $25,000 cash bail. The prosecution objected, and and Judge Camacho upheld the full bail amount.
Guillermin was remanded to custody and ordered to return for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 26 at 10 a.m., followed by arraignment on Dec. 15 at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, Police Officer Koji Taisakan was patrolling Western Garapan on Nov. 16 when a bystander flagged him down to report a man starting a fight.
Taisakan approached two men and saw Guillermin punch the victim on the left side of this face. The officer said he heard the impact and saw the victim fall backward, striking his head on the pavement.
The office immediately handcuffed Guillermin, who reportedly said, “Sorry sir, he was asking for it,” and “Sir, I’m not from here, I’m from Palau. I’m just here for the training, please sir.”
Taisacan returned to the victim, who was bleeding from the mouth and unresponsive but still had pulse. The officer called for medical assistance.
Moments later, Taisakan noticed the patrol car’s rear door open and Guillermin gone. He alerted other units to search for the suspect.
The victim was transported to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, where a CT scan revealed brain bleeding and swelling.
Taisakan confirmed Guillermin was among the ARFF cadets from Palau staying in an apartment in San Antonio.
Guillermin was later located at the apartment, still in handcuffs, barefoot, and with sand on his clothing.
Upon re-arrest, Guillermin asked police about the victim’s condition and said, “He was asking me for a fight, so I bought him a drink and I punched him.”
Guillermin also admitted that while in the patrol car, someone opened the rear door, allowing him to run toward the beach.
