By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
JIMMY Philip Kaipat has been charged with second-degree sexual assault, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace after allegedly touching a woman on Dec. 16 at White Laundry in Chalan Kanoa.
Kaipat, 26, who has had previous brushes with the law, appeared for a bail hearing before Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho on Wednesday morning.
Competency evaluation requested
Assistant Public Defender Emily Thomsen, who represented Kaipat in previous cases — CR 23‑0098 and CR 24‑0080 — requested another competency evaluation. She cited the court’s March 2025 order finding Kaipat not competent to stand trial. That finding was based on a mental health evaluation by clinical psychologist Dr. McLawhorn, who concluded there was not a “substantial likelihood” that Kaipat would regain competency.
A competency evaluation assesses whether a defendant can understand court proceedings and assist in their own defense.
Previous cases dismissed
In those earlier cases — one a felony, the other a misdemeanor — charges were dismissed, and Kaipat was released.
Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds asked the court to maintain the $25,000 cash bail. Judge Camacho granted the request, ordered the Public Defender’s Office to file a motion for a competency evaluation, and remanded Kaipat to the custody of the Department of Corrections. He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. and for arraignment on Jan. 12 at 9 a.m.
Alleged incident
According to the complaint, the victim told police she was washing clothes at White Laundry when Kaipat approached and asked for a dollar. When she said she had none, he asked if she was “Jillia.” After she refused to give her name, Kaipat allegedly touched her. She pushed him away, and he left the establishment. She then called her husband and 911 to report the incident.
In a voluntary statement to police, Kaipat said the act was “the only thing that he has not done.” He also admitted to prior incidents, including indecent exposure, “dry humping” a neighbor, and touching another woman.
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.
