HUSBAND and wife Weifu Zhang and Suling Jin were arrested by federal authorities after they failed to depart the CNMI within six months of their sentencing date.
Zhang and Jin were among the individuals indicted in the District Court for the NMI for illegally entering Guam by boat last year.
Zhang was sentenced to imprisonment of 31 days of time served, and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $100 and perform 50 hours of community service in lieu of fine, but this requirement will be waived if he voluntarily departs within the time frame pursuant to the plea agreement.
Jin likewise was sentenced to imprisonment of 32 days of time served, and two years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $100 and perform 50 hours of community service in lieu of fine, but this requirement will be waived if she voluntarily departs within the time frame pursuant to the plea agreement.
On Aug. 10, 2023, the U.S. Probation Office asked the court to issue an arrest warrant for the couple and to revoke their supervised release.
Probation Officer Greg Arriola said the couple failed to voluntarily depart the United States within six months from their sentencing dates, and failed to report to the U.S. Probation Office as instructed to provide proof that they were making a good faith effort to depart the CNMI.
Zhang and Jin also failed to submit monthly supervision reports for June and July, he added.
The court granted the petition and issued warrants for the arrest of the couple.
Zhang was arrested on Aug. 25 and appeared for an initial hearing on Aug. 28 before Judge Manglona.
Zhang, through court-appointed attorney Colin Thompson, requested a 60-day continuance to allow Zhang to make an effort to depart.
Judge Manglona granted a continuance and set a hearing for Oct. 4, 2023, at 9 a.m.
The judge also reminded Zhang that he is to physically report to the U.S. Probation Office.
Zhang was remanded to custody, but will be released once processed by the U.S. Marshals Service and abides by the previously imposed terms and conditions.
A hearing will be vacated should Zhang leave the CNMI.
Jin, for her part, was arrested on Tuesday.
