FORMER Police Officer Raymond Saralu was among the eight inmates granted parole by the CNMI Board of Parole on Thursday.
The other parolees are Bradley Defang, Calistro Crisostomo, Titomir Bhuiyan, Derik Reyes, Kui Zhang, Donovan Ludwig and Darren Michael.
The parole board at the same time denied Joshua Martin’s parole application. The board declined to say why.
Present at the parole hearing held from Nov. 12-14 in the Department of Corrections training room were Board of Parole Chair Chris Leon Guerrero, Vice Chair George Hocog, members Lucinda Selepeo, Francine Nekai, Matthew Masga, Mary Ann Palacios and Richard Barcinas.
According to the parole board, which held a press conference with Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres on Thursday, of the 14 inmates who initially applied for parole, five were deemed not eligible. Two of the eight inmates granted parole will be deported, the board added.
When asked for the names of the inmates who were granted parole, Commissioner Torres issued the following statement: “I will not release the names of our new parolees to the media. As part of parole supervision, the Division of Parole and [the] AG’s Office may need to contact family members, DPS, victims, neighbors, jobs or others. Every effort will be made to protect the privacy of the parolees, except with their permission or as necessary for official business. We want to set them up for success by promoting positive change in their behavior for a successful reintegration transitioning from the correctional facility.”
The parolees
According to public documents obtained by the media, Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds opposed granting parole to the nine inmates who applied for it.
These public documents also disclosed the names of the parolees.
Raymond Saralu, the former police officer whose government-issued firearm accidentally went off and seriously injured his then-7-year-old nephew, was sentenced to five years in prison, with the first year to be served and the remaining four years suspended.
He has served six months in prison or half of the term imposed on him.
Bradley Defang on May 4, 2021 pled guilty to the offense of robbery and was sentenced to serve a total of 10 years in prison, but all suspended except five years.
Calistro Crisostomo pled guilty to burglary and theft on Jan. 6, 2020, and was sentenced to serve five years in prison.
Titomir Bhuiyan pled guilty on April 8, 2015 to one count of kidnapping, which occurred on or about Nov. 29, 2014, and continued on to Nov. 30, 2014. He was sentenced to the full maximum of 19 years’ imprisonment, of which three years were suspended.
Donovan Ludwig on Oct. 9, 2014 pled guilty to burglary, assault and battery, and theft. He was sentenced to a 10-year prison term.
Kui Zhang pled guilty to illegal possession of a controlled substance on Sept. 15, 2022, and was sentenced to five years in prison, all suspended except for three years.
Derik Reyes pled guilty to illegal possession of a controlled substance: methamphetamine, and was sentenced on April 22, 2021 to serve five years in prison.
Darren Michael pled guilty to aggravated assault and battery, and assault with a dangerous weapon on Feb. 26, 2018. He was sentenced to two concurrent terms of imprisonment of 10 years.
Denied
Joshua Martin pled guilty to the offense of sexual assault in the first degree and was sentenced in December 2012 to serve 30 years of imprisonment with credit for time served. His parole application was denied by the board.
According to Board of Parole Chair Chris Leon Guerrero, “The board’s role is to have an independent process with each and every applicant that is eligible to apply for parole.”
He said the parole proceedings are a collaborative effort between the parole board and the Department of Corrections.
He said the parolees “will be more educated on what their responsibilities are, and this is one opportunity for … parolees …. Most of the time there’s no second chance. The board’s role is, number 1, the safety of the community, and number 2, rehabilitating parolees back to the community.”
Checks and balances
Commissioner Torres told the eight parolees that they are “reintegrating back to the community.”
“I want you to know that I am implementing a robust plan in the system, of checks and balances … so that if you guys make that wrong choice while you are out there, you are coming back fast,” he said.
“If you need help, reach out to your parole officer, reach out to your provider, reach out to people who will lend a helping hand. Don’t keep falling down and going down that wrong path because you are coming back fast; you’re going to be imprisoned right away. For the parole board to be effective there’s going to be accountability, and that’s in place. If you are struggling, reach out to your parole officers. There [will] be systems and plans in place. There’s curfew, no drugs or alcohol. If you come up positive for urinalysis, you’re going to be booked … right away, you’re going to come back here. You get DUI, you’re coming back here, no more … sweeping under the rug. [That] will [not] happen under [my] watch. This is an opportunity for you to turn [yourself] around. I believe in second chances, but you are in control … to make this successful,” Torres added.
Parole Board Member Masga, a former Tinian Department of Public Safety chief, said they reviewed the parole applicants’ files.
Addressing the inmates, Masga said, “During the review, a lot of us were looking at your files, your history while you are in incarceration, and one of the best programs that has been implemented is the [partnership between] NMTI [and Corrections,]” referring to the Northern Marianas Technical Institute.
“So most of you are certified in a lot of professions — you are skilled workers. As a [parole board] member, I considered that you are ready to go out and start your life.”
Masga added, “If you have family, you support your family. It will be easier to find a job, because you have the background already. You guys better take advantage of this and don’t make a mistake outside because if you do … there’s no second chance.”
The CNMI Parole Board and Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres conduct a press conference on Thursday regarding the eight inmates who were granted parole.
