Babauta, 38, pleaded guilty to committing count one of mail fraud that involved devising a scheme to defraud Zhing Yuan Li by means of false and fraudulent representations and promises from Aug. to Oct. 2008.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex Munson granted the motion of Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Schuler to seal the plea agreement.
Babauta was represented by attorney David Banes.
Munson ordered the submission of they presentence investigation report by Jan. 26, 2010, and scheduled Babauta’s sentencing hearing for March 2, 2010.
Babauta was allowed to remain at liberty under the same terms and conditions of release as previously set by the court.
Babauta has been released to the custody of his father, House Minority Leader Oscar M. Babauta.
The U.S. government said Jesse Babauta “falsely represent[ed] to Li that [his father Oscar Babauta], a politician in the CNMI House of Representatives, had the authority to and would help Li get his daughter into the CNMI, the indictment stated.
The indictment added that Jesse Babauta “provide[d] fraudulent immigration documents” to Li on Set. 5, 2008.
Babauta received money from Li in exchange for the documents, the indictment added.
The prosecution said Babauta informed Li that the money was “payment for official government expenses and fees.”
The indictment stated that Babauta “execute[d] the scheme and artifice” through an international express envelope on Sept. 11, 2008.
