By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
FEDERAL authorities have arrested Kelvin Cabrera Sanchez, 38, for distributing methamphetamine near two schools on island.
Sanchez, a repeat offender, is charged with distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of an elementary school and with distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of an elementary school.
At his initial appearance on Thursday, Sanchez pleaded not guilty through his court-appointed counsel, Federal Public Defender Leilani Lujan. Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert S. Flores Jr., the prosecutor, filed a motion for pretrial detention and requested a three-day continuance.
Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI granted the continuance and scheduled a detention hearing for Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. She also accepted Sanchez’s not guilty plea and set a jury trial for Jan. 13 at 10 a.m.
Sanchez was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
According to the indictment, on or about April 1, 2025, Sanchez distributed methamphetamine — a Schedule II controlled substance — within 1,000 feet of Francisco M. Sablan Middle School in San Antonio.
On or about April 25, 2025, he distributed five grams or more of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of Saipan Community School, the indictment stated.
The indictment also includes a criminal forfeiture allegation seeking to seize property or funds connected to the alleged offenses.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
