Jay Billy, 20, and JR Tipengeni, a.k.a., “Awatan,” 19, are escorted by Corrections officers at the local courthouse for a bail hearing on Dec. 16, 2024.
ROBBERY defendants Jay Billy, 21, and JR Tipengeni, a.k.a. “Awatan,” 20, each pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery before Superior Court Judge Joseph N. Camacho on Friday morning.
According to the factual basis of the defendants’ plea, on Dec. 10, 2024, Jay Billy and JR Tipengeni, a.k.a. “Awatan,” “unlawfully took the property of the victim by use or threatened use of immediate force or violence, to wit: defendant took a bag containing approximately $200, keys, and three cell phones, by immediate force and violence, in violation of 6 CMC § 1411(a).”
A robbery charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a $10,000 fine, or both.
At the change-of-plea hearing, Billy was represented by Assistant Public Defender Molly Dennert, while Tipengeni was represented by court-appointed attorney Michael Evangelista. Assistant Attorney General Heather Barcinas appeared for the government.
Previously, Billy, Tipengeni, and three male juveniles, had been charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault and battery, robbery, and disturbing the peace.
The victim was a taxi driver, and the incident occurred last year in Koblerville.
Because the three male juveniles were 15 years old at the time, their case files were sealed.
Background
The Department of Public Safety obtained arrest warrants for five robbery suspects — two adults and three juveniles — after a video that went viral showed a group of individuals assaulting a person inside a vehicle.
Based on a preliminary DPS investigation, a group of five males had called for a taxi at Cool Laundry in Fina Sisu.
“A taxi operator later arrived and picked up the five males, who requested to be dropped off at a pavilion located in the beach area of … Coral Ocean Resort. Officers learned from the taxi operator that when they arrived in the beach area …, one of the occupants used the seatbelt to choke him while others started punching his face and head. The operator was able to run away and reach another pavilion, where he sought assistance from people at the scene to call police. The victim sustained injuries to his face and was later transported to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation for treatment,” DPS said.
“Officers further learned that the perpetrators were able to take the victim’s cell phones and cash that was secured in a fanny pack,” DPS added.
According to court documents, police detectives traced a call to the victim from a cell phone used by one of the juveniles.
The victim also told police that he had tracked the location of one of the cellphones that was stolen from him to Koblerville, which led investigators to Billy’s residence.
Plea agreement
Under the plea agreement signed by both defendants, they will be sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, all suspended except for five years, which will be served without eligibility for parole, early release, weekend release, or furlough.
Billy and Tipengeni will receive credit for time served, having been in custody since Dec. 14, 2024.
They are scheduled to be released on Dec. 13, 2029, and will be placed on 10 years of probation following their release.
The plea agreement also states that both defendants will testify against their juvenile co-defendants.
In addition, Billy and Tipengeni must pay pro rata restitution to the victim in the amount of $1,598.83, perform 160 hours of community service, and comply with other conditions.
