In a stipulated motion to vacate jury trial and schedule change of plea hearing, the parties informed the U.S. District Court for the NMI that they have signed a plea agreement, a copy of which was not immediately available.
Salas’ court-appointed defense attorney David Banes, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O’Malley, who is prosecuting the case, signed the stipulation filed on Tuesday.
Both parties also requested the federal court to schedule a change of plea hearing, instead of the jury trial for May 16, 2011, and to vacate the deadline to file pretrial documents.
Salas who was released on his own recognizance earlier denied the charge of one count of extortion under color of official right.
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Salas on Sept. 14, 2010 after the building inspector received a total of $200 from an owner of a printing press “in exchange for withholding administrative functions” such as imposing fines for building code violations.
During his arrest, FBI agents seized the $100 sting money from Salas’ vehicle.
