By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
IMMIGRATION Judge Clarence Wagner has ordered the removal of Hee Jung Hwang from the United States by Nov. 12, 2025, following allegations that he kidnapped and assaulted a tour guide.
During Friday’s immigration proceedings, Judge Wagner denied a request by Hwang’s attorney, Joey McDoulett, for a continuance based on pending criminal cases in Superior Court.
“Continuance is not warranted, necessary, or appropriate,” Judge Wagner said. “The ultimate resolution of the criminal cases has no effect on the current [immigration] case, particularly Hwang’s removability.”
The judge added that the removal order “will not be altered in any form even if Hwang was convicted of criminal charges or not.” He also ruled that Hwang is ineligible for voluntary departure.
John Owen, an attorney with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, told the court that Hwang overstayed his B-2 visa and is therefore unlawfully present in the U.S.
“Hwang is married to a U.S. citizen and has children and only submitted an I-130 petition this week,” Owen said. “A pending application does not grant him status.”
Hwang, 43, is a principal of CJ Innovations, a company contracted to build modular classrooms at Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School.
The CNMI 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 Aug. 25 incident.
The victim 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 Chinatown, where the victim said he was lured under false pretenses and later threatened.
Hwang posted $25,000 cash bail for his release but 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.
Superior Court Judge Joseph N. Camacho previously 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.
Deleon Guerrero was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery.
In Superior Court, Hwang is represented by attorney Joaquin Torres. Bai is represented by attorney Mark Hanson, and Deleon Guerrero 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.
