By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
HEE Jung Hwang, who faces charges of kidnapping and assault in connection with the alleged abduction of tour guide Jijing “Jimmy” Borja, is currently being held under an immigration detainer issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Following a request from Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds, Superior Court Judge Joseph N. Camacho last week issued a writ of habeas corpus ad prosequendum, directing the U.S. Marshals Service to temporarily transfer Hwang to the custody of the CNMI Department of Corrections for a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 15 at 10 a.m.
A writ of habeas corpus ad prosequendum is a legal order requiring authorities to produce a detained individual for prosecution. The Latin phrase translates to “you shall have the body for the purpose of prosecution.”
Hwang, 38, is one of the principals of CJ Innovations, a company contracted to build modular classrooms at Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School. He reportedly overstayed his visa, Variety has learned.
The Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division initially charged Hwang and co-defendant Peter Deleon Guerrero, 57 — also known as “Dragon” or “Paduna” — with kidnapping, aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, and disturbing the peace following an incident on Aug. 25.
Borja told police he was forcibly taken and assaulted by Hwang and two other suspects, including 43-year-old Yichuan Bai. The alleged attack occurred in China Town, where Borja said he was lured under false pretenses and later threatened. Hwang posted $25,000 cash bail for his release.
He was later rearrested after a search warrant was executed at his residence and office. Authorities charged him with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a controlled substance, violation of firearm identification card requirements, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
At a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Judge Camacho found probable cause to charge Hwang with assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery as principal, assault and battery, kidnapping, possession of a firearm and ammunition without a firearm owner identification card, and illegal possession of a controlled substance.
Judge Camacho also found probable cause to charge Bai with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, kidnapping as principal, possession of firearm ammunition without a firearm owner identification card, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Earlier, the court found probable cause to charge Deleon Guerrero with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery.
Hwang was represented by attorney Joaquin Torres. Attorney Mark Hanson appeared for Bai, while Deleon Guerrero was represented by attorney Michael Evangelista.
All three defendants are scheduled for arraignment on Oct. 27 at 10 a.m.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
