By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
ATTORNEY Joaquin DLG Torres, who represents Hee Jung Hwang, filed a motion Tuesday in Superior Court seeking to suppress evidence and return property seized during a police search. The motion argues that the warrant used was unconstitutional and overly broad.
Earlier, Hwang, 43, was arrested and charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping and assault of tour guide Jijing “Jimmy” Borja on Aug. 25. Borja told police he was abducted and assaulted by Hwang and two other suspects: Peter Deleon Guerrero, 57, also known as “Dragon” or “Paduna,” and Yichuan Bai. Borja posted $25,000 bail for his release.
Subsequently, Hwang was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a controlled substance, violation of firearm identification card requirements, and unlawful possession of ammunition. The arrest followed a multi-Department of Public Safety task force executing a search warrant at Hwang’s two-story residence in San Roque and his business office in San Antonio for electronic recording or storage devices.
At an initial appearance hearing on Sept. 26, Judge Joseph N. Camacho set Hwang’s bail at $100,000 cash. The judge also scheduled a preliminary hearing continuation for the three defendants on Oct. 15 at 9 a.m.
In his motion, Torres contends that the search of Hwang’s residence violated multiple constitutional protections, including the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, as well as key provisions of the CNMI Constitution. The motion claims the warrant lacked specificity, failed to identify the alleged crimes, and authorized a sweeping seizure of digital data without proper limitations.
Among the items seized were four cell phones, an iPad, ammunition, and a firearm — none of which were explicitly listed in the warrant, according to the defense. Torres also alleges procedural violations, stating that officers did not provide Hwang with a copy of the warrant or a receipt of the items taken, as required under Commonwealth law. The motion further raises concerns about self-incrimination.
Calling the warrant a “general warrant,” Torres argues it gave law enforcement “unlimited discretion” and failed to meet constitutional standards. The defense is asking the court to suppress all evidence obtained and to order the return of the seized property.
According to the complaint against Hwang, police discovered a Sig Sauer P229 firearm under a bed at his residence, as well as a black-and-gray container holding one box of 42 rounds of 9×19 ammunition, and a blue glass pipe containing a white substance. Verifying the firearm’s serial number, investigators confirmed it had been reported stolen in 2022.
The white substance found in the pipe tested positive for methamphetamine, police said.
