By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE Office of the Attorney General has asked the Superior Court to deny Hee Jung Hwang’s motion to exonerate bail, arguing that he forfeited his earlier release and remains a flight risk despite being held in immigration detention.
Assistant Attorney General Daniel Johnson, in a motion filed Monday, said Hwang violated bail conditions when he was rearrested less than three weeks after posting a $25,000 cash bond in September. Johnson contends that Hwang’s subsequent detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not guarantee his appearance in CNMI court, noting that ICE could deport him or require him to appear in federal proceedings.
Hwang and co‑defendants Yichuan Bai and Peter Deleon Guerrero face charges stemming from an Aug. 25, 2025, incident in Chinatown, where a tour guide was allegedly lured under false pretenses, kidnapped, and assaulted. Prosecutors later expanded the case after a search of Hwang’s residence uncovered a stolen firearm, ammunition, and controlled substances.
Hwang was previously ordered removed from the United States by Nov. 12, 2025, after Immigration Judge Clarence Wagner ruled that his CNMI criminal charges did not affect his removability. The judge denied a continuance request and found Hwang ineligible for voluntary departure, citing his overstayed visa and pending violent crime allegations.
Johnson argues that this deportation order underscores the risk that Hwang may not be available for trial, even while detained. He maintains that both the forfeited $25,000 cash bail and the $10,000 cash plus $90,000 property bond posted later should remain in effect until his criminal cases are resolved.
Hwang, through attorney Joaquin DLG Torres, has requested the court to exonerate his bail. “Bail exoneration” means the return of bail money or property to the depositor and any co-signer.
Judge Joseph N. Camacho, who is presiding over the case, scheduled a hearing for Dec. 3 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.
