On Friday afternoon, Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo sentenced the 44-year-old Bautista to six years imprisonment, all suspended, except for 22 months.
Govendo also credited the 67 days Bautista had served at the Corrections facility.
Bautista was arrested last May and was granted pretrial release in August after posting a $500 cash bail and issuing a $24,500 as unsecured appearance bond. He was released to his friends Josephine Aldan and Pascual Enriquez.
Bautista was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, attempted sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, and for driving without a license.
Govendo scolded Bautista during the hearing on Friday.
When it comes to sexual abuse, the CNMI is a “very loose society,” the judge said. “It’s been accepted for too long and I don’t accept that. This behavior cannot be tolerated.”
He said he was informed by Assistant Attorney General Shelli Neal, the prosecutor, that the then-13-year-old victim was suffering from psychological trauma.
Bautista’s counsel was Assistant Public Defender Douglas Hartig.
Chief Prosecutor Michael Ernest said Bautista is also facing removal proceedings.
Bautista sexually assaulted his victim who was living with the defendant in the same household, the prosecution said. Without a valid operator’s license, Bautista drove his victim to the Garapan Fishing Base to sexually assault her, the prosecution said.
At the time, Officer Jesse Wabol was making his regular check in the area when he discovered Bautista’s vehicle parked under a tree.
Wabol saw Bautista was naked as the defendant jumped from the passenger side to the driver’s side of the car, the prosecution said.
Wabol also discovered a young girl crying in the passenger seat, the prosecution added.
