Judge Kenneth L. Govendo ordered the defendant, 32-year-old Mino Ansa Phillip, to post a $1,000 cash bail during yesterday’s bail hearing.
Govendo also ordered him to surrender his travel documents and not leave the CNMI without permission from the court; not consume any alcoholic beverages, observe a daily 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and have no contact with the victim.
The court allowed the Department of Public Safety to conduct a random check to see if he is observing the curfew.
The defendant was represented by his lawyer Matthew J. Holley while the government was represented by Assistant Attorney General Rebecca Warfield.
The court set Phillip’s arraignment for Oct. 20 at 9 a.m., and the preliminary hearing for Oct. 14 at 9 a.m.
An affidavit filed in court stated that probable cause exists to support the charges of multiple counts of assault and battery (sexual assault), contempt of court, and disturbing the peace.
According to the affidavit filed by Detective Kelly Ignacio N. Camacho, a probation officer reported that one of her probationers was drunk and was disturbing other people in the courthouse.
Preliminary investigation showed that one of the courthouse staff was behind the cashier counter when she noticed an individual later identified as the defendant walking toward the counter.
He passed all the others who were waiting in line.
Camacho said the defendant threw down his money and his documents and stated that he was there to pay his bill.
The court employee said he told the defendant to fall in line as there were others ahead of him.
She said defendant smelled strongly of alcoholic beverage.
When she noticed the defendant crouching below the counter, she called the court marshals who escorted the defendant to the Adult Probation Office waiting room.
Camacho said she reviewed the defendant’s case and found that he was prohibited from consuming alcohol for the entire term of his probation.
The defendant was arrested and taken to the Department of Public Safety headquarters where he was made to undergo a breathalizer test. The defendant’s blood alcohol level was 0.167. The DUI blood alcohol level is 0.08.
Further investigation also showed that a courthouse employee was standing in line to pay her vehicle registration when she felt somebody touch her inappropriately and when she turned around she saw the defendant. She confronted him and a court marshal took the defendant away.
The defendant is listed on the CNMI sex offender registry for sexual assault in the second degree and is currently on probation for three years.
