Richards agreed to admit charges of conspiracy to distribute 0.94 grams net weight of d-methamphetamine hydrochloride, distribution of “ice,” and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
The federal government will move to dismiss the charge of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, according to the plea agreement filed in federal court on Friday.
Richards signed the plea agreement, together with his court-appointed defense attorney Michael Norita Evangelista, and Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Benedetto, who is prosecuting the case.
Richards was detained after he turned himself to federal authorities last October following the filing of the indictment him.
Richards manifested that he understood the maximum penalties for the charges he will admit: 20 years incarceration, a $1,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment fee for conspiracy to distribute, and distribution; 10 years incarceration, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment fee for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Richards also agreed “to fully and truthfully cooperate with federal law enforcement agents concerning their investigation of trafficking in controlled substances, money laundering and other offenses.”
The plea agreement said the federal government agreed not to prosecute Richards for any other non-violent offenses which were committed on Guam or the CNMI that Richards will reveal to federal authorities during his cooperation with the prosecution.
“If [Richards] cooperates as set forth in this agreement, the government will recommend that the defendant receive the minimum, or the minimum term of incarceration recommended by the sentencing guidelines, whichever is greater. If [Richards] does not fully cooperate…, the government will recommend whatever sentence of incarceration within the guidelines range it may deem appropriate,” part of the plea agreement stated.
On July 15, 2010, according to the stipulated facts, Richards “aided and abetted one or more unindicted conspirators in the distribution of ice.”
Richards’ federal drug charges were similar to those filed against him in Superior Court, but these were later dismissed without prejudice as moved by the Attorney General’s Office in “the interest of justice and judicial economy.”
Ricards, 33, who was off-duty at that time, and Belinda O. Omengkar, 39, were arrested last July by the CNMI Joint Drug Task Force for possession and trafficking of “ice.”
Police also seized Richards’ Department of Public Safety-issued 9mm pistol.
The AGO told the local court that it “wishes to continue the prosecution” of Omengkar, currently on pretrial release after posting $400 cash and the remaining $9,600 in unsecured bond.
Omengkar has denied the charges.
