THE federal court recently unsealed a federal indictment charging Eugene Ka Lok Wong with one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, and one count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
The alleged incident occurred on Dec. 18 and 22, 2020, according to the indictment.
Following a request from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the NMI, Magistrate Judge Heather Kennedy sealed the case on May 17.
Wong appeared out of custody at an initial appearance hearing before Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona on Monday at the District Court for the NMI, and was represented by court-appointed attorney Mark Hanson.
Wong, through his attorney, waived the advisement of his constitutional rights and the reading of the charges against him. He entered a plea of not guilty to counts I and II of the indictment.
Judge Manglona then set the jury trial for Aug. 3 at 10 a.m., adding that pretrial motions shall be filed no later than June 15.
As required by Rule 5(f) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the U.S. government is ordered to produce all exculpatory evidence to the defendant pursuant to Brady v. Maryland and its progeny, Judge Manglona said. “Not doing so in a timely manner may result in sanctions, including exclusion of evidence, adverse jury instructions, dismissal of charges and contempt proceedings,” she added.
The hearing minutes noted that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency will transfer the defendant’s passport to the U.S. Probation Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert S. Flores Jr. informed the court that “discovery was tendered” on April 29.
Judge Manglona said Wong will remain out of custody but must abide by the terms and conditions of his release.
For its part, the U.S. government attached a notice of forfeiture in the indictment against Wong, stating that upon conviction, the defendant will forfeit to the U.S. government any or all proceeds monetary or property from the offense.
Court documents obtained by Variety did not provide any other information about the defendant or the case.
