Lukas Manglona on Tuesday entered a guilty plea to counts 5 and 6 of the indictment which were for conspiracy and for passing counterfeit obligations.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson set Manglona’s sentencing for Sept. 1 at 9 a.m.
Conspiracy carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $5,000 and $100 assessment fee. Passing counterfeit obligations carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $5,000 and $100 assessment fee.
Manglona was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents with his brother Nestor Camacho Taitano and Kisha Lyn Masga King after an indictment was filed against them in federal court on Feb. 26, 2009.
The indictment stated that Taitano gave a fake $50 bill to Manglona on Jan. 12, 2009 to buy a pack of cigarettes and a lighter at Nang Ocha Store in San Vicente. Manglona then gave the change back to Taitano.
Authorities first discovered the passing of counterfeit money on Saipan after Manglona and Taitano had a fight in January.
Police said Manglona admitted buying cigarettes and a lighter at Nang Ocha Store using a $50 bill which he knew was counterfeit. Manglona said the fake money was given by his brother Taitano.
The indictment further stated that Taitano gave three fake $50 bills to King which were used to buy goods from Tapo Fashion in Chalan Piao, Fashion Avenue in Chalan Kanoa, and the Shell Gas Station in Koblerville on Jan. 12. Taitano then got the change for the fake bills from King and Manglona.
King pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to utter counterfeit obligations and securities, and three counts of passing counterfeit obligations. She will be sentenced on July 14. Taitano’s jury trial will commence on June 15 at 9 a.m.
