SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho on Wednesday sentenced Frankie Rettanlug to 12 years’ imprisonment, with the first eight years to be served day for day without the possibility of parole, early release, work release, or weekend release.
The defendant, who pled guilty to one count of sexual assault in the first degree, was given credit for nine days of time served. His remaining sentence of four years is suspended, but it may be imposed in whole or in part for violation of law or Office of the Adult Probation rules, the judge added.
Represented by Assistant Public Defender Vina Seelam, Rettanlug, 27, was ordered to immediately serve his sentence and report to the Department of Corrections.
After serving his sentence, he will be placed on probation for five years.
He was ordered to pay court costs and a $120 probation fee.
Rettanlug will likewise register and comply with the CNMI Sex Offender Registry Act.
He and co-defendant Tim Onopey, 25, were accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in a beach area. They were charged separately.
The case against Onopey, who is represented by attorney Robert Torres, is still pending in court.
According to the prosecution, on May 29, 2022, at around 8:17 p.m., police officers responded to two reported sexual assault incidents at the Guma Sakman in Susupe, and arrested Rettanlug and Onopey.
