SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho sentenced Joseph Seman to five years’ imprisonment with the first three years to be served day for day without the possibility of parole, probation, early release, work release, weekend release, or another similar program.
Seman was given credit for 15 days of time served, and his remaining sentence is suspended. However, it may be imposed in whole or in part for violation of law or Office of the Adult Probation rules, Judge Camacho said.
Seman, 32, was accused of trying to flush his girlfriend’s head down the toilet after he was awakened by the noise she allegedly made while getting up from the bed to use the restroom.
Initially, Seman was charged with two counts of assault and battery, aggravated assault, and strangulation.
On June 23, 2022, at a change of plea hearing, Seman pled guilty to aggravated assault. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the Office of the Attorney General dismissed the remaining charges.
Seman was represented by Assistant Public Defender Emily Thomsen while Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds appeared for the government.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Camacho directed CNMI Marshals to remand Seman to the custody of the Department of Corrections.
As part of Seman’s judgment and commitment order, he will be placed on supervised probation for five years and pay a $140 probation fee each year for five years after completing his sentence.
Seman was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim, his ex-girlfriend, for her hospital bills, for the injuries she sustained in the amount of $2,737.88.
He is ordered to stay away from the victim during the mandated probation term.
According to the victim, Seman had physically abused her several times in the past, the latest of which occurred on April 3, 2022 when he punched her face. She quoted him as saying that if she told anyone about his abuse he would kill her.
She said it was on March 29, 2022 when he slapped her, yanked her hair, and used both of his hands to push her off the toilet for waking him up.
She said Seman then told her to put her face in the toilet and when she did, Seman flushed the toilet twice before threatening to kill her.
