HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Branty Walliby could face deportation after being sentenced to 21 years for his involvement in the death of Arnold Narruhn.
On Thursday Walliby, 29, was sentenced to serve 21 years at the Department of Corrections for manslaughter as a first-degree felony and assault as a misdemeanor.
Walliby’s charges stem from an altercation involving his brother, Narruhn and another man, John Otto, at New Fatima Mart in Dededo on Dec. 11, 2022. Days after the fight, Narruhn died at the hospital from injuries sustained during the altercation, which involved Walliby attacking Narruhn even after Narruhn was unconscious.
In a press release issued by the Office of the Attorney General after Walliby’s sentencing, the AG’s office thanked Judge Alberto Tolentino for handing down the “tough sentence,” but also confirmed Walliby is not a U.S. citizen and faces deportation as part of his punishment for the crime.
“We will seek (a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detainer be lodged against convict Branty Walliby upon completion of his sentence, or earlier deportation depending upon the crime victim’s family input,” the Office of the Attorney General said in the release.
Tolentino stated at the hearing that Walliby will be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence, and Walliby also has the opportunity to appeal his conviction and sentence in the Supreme Court of Guam.
‘Guam is not a sanctuary island’
Since taking office at the start of 2023, Attorney General Douglas Moylan has been cooperating with ICE, under the Department of Homeland Security, as part of the Criminal Deportation Initiative, designed to deport non-U.S. citizens in either prejudgment or post-judgment cases.
“Under this AG Moylan administration, Guam is not a sanctuary island. Sanctuary cities are known on the mainland as ignoring ICE detainers. I have a team of AG legal professionals that are actively identifying non-U.S. citizens and coordinating these persons’ identities with Homeland Security’s ICE agents,” Douglas Moylan told The Guam Daily Post earlier this week.
“The primary focus is to protect our U.S. citizens and law-abiding non-U.S. citizens from criminals, especially those who are non-U.S. citizens. We are using every means and method in our disposal to make Guam a safer place and deter those who would break our laws, yet benefit from living among us,” Douglas Moylan added.
According to Post files, in August 2023 Douglas Moylan announced the launch of the program and said defendants either in pre judgement or post-judgement cases, if eligible, would have the opportunity to have their sentences suspended if they leave Guam and do not return.
AG Moylan, however, has previously told the Post a problem he faces with deporting convicts is balancing the wishes of the victim’s family.
Additionally, Del. James Moylan on March 25 issued a press release stating his team is interested in working with the attorney general regarding deporting individuals found guilty of “aggravated felonies,” such as murder, rape, or sexual abuse of a minor.
“I do believe that with the rise in heinous crimes, particularly where minors are the victims, and with the population surge at the Department of Corrections, a deportation policy should be on the table as it sets out a strong message when it comes to Guam’s tolerance in dealing with criminals convicted of serious criminalities, which is why I implore those who have a role in this process to consider establishing parameters,” James Moylan stated in the release.
Branty Walliby sits during opening statements of his murder trial Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtña.
