U.S. District Court for the NMI Designated Presiding Judge David Wiseman accepted the plea agreement signed by Maratita, his defense counsel David Banes, and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Benedetto, who prosecuted the case.
Wiseman set the sentencing hearing for Feb. 16, 2010.
Maratita is facing a maximum penalty of not more than 10 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and mandatory $100 special assessment fee, the plea agreement stated.
A cooperating source of the CNMI’s Department of Public Safety provided information that led to the arrest of Maratita, records showed.
On March 16, 2009, the cooperating source purchased a Colt .25 caliber pistol, model unknown, and with serial number D53250, worth $350 from Maratita.
