CHIEF Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI on Thursday sentenced Jesse Reyes Babauta to serve 168 months or 14 years imprisonment for possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Upon serving his time, Babauta will be placed on five years’ supervised release, perform 100 hours of community service, and pay a $100 assessment fee.
Babauta was represented by court-appointed attorney Colin Thompson.
In Oct. 2020, Babauta, Noribel Adao Mendez, and Mary Rose Chelo Herradura were indicted on the charge of possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine. All have pled guilty.
Judge Manglona recently granted the request of attorney Robert Torres, who represents Herradura, to continue the sentencing schedule for his client.
Herradura will be sentenced on Aug. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
As for Mendez, who is represented by attorney Mark Hanson, sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
According to court documents, on Sept. 28 and 29, 2020, the defendants knowingly and intentionally conspired and agreed with other persons to possess meth, a schedule II-controlled substance, with intent to distribute in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(C).
The U.S. government also wants to forfeit any money or property from the offense upon conviction of the defendants.
