Larry Borja Hocog surrendered to the U.S. Marshal Service in May this year. He appeared before U.S. District Court for NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson for an initial court appearance and arraignment proceedings on May 8.
The federal court originally set Hocog’s jury trial for June 23 but the prosecution requested for postponement.
Munson granted the motion to continue the trial yesterday.
In his affidavit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O’Malley said their office network malfunctioned on June 19 and key witnesses on the U.S. mainland and Hawaii still have to be located and will not be returning to the CNMI until the first week of July.
Munson also ordered the prosecution to disclose the identities of the patients who illegally received the controlled substances from the doctor.
Munson, however, said the information regarding the witnesses should only be used for the limited purpose of presenting and preparing a case against the doctor.
The indictment filed in federal court stated that Hocog distributed and dispensed a controlled substance identified as oxycodone hydrochloride and meperidine — commonly known as Demerol — from Sept. 4 to Nov. 30, 2007.
According to the indictment, Hocog dispensed and distributed oxycodone hydrochloride and meperidine despite a restriction on his Drug Enforcement Administration controlled substance registration certificate and his CNMI license to practice medicine.
Hocog waived reading of the indictment and advisement of his rights and entered a not guilty plea to the charges.
He was released from custody after the hearing on May 8, and posted a $10,000 unsecured bond.
