A former federal and local law enforcement officer has been accused of not only conspiring to distribute methamphetamine but also intimidating witnesses in the federal case involving an alleged drug smuggling couple.
Former police officer and FBI task force officer, John Topasna Mantanona, also known as “Boom” was arrested and charged with obstructing justice by endeavoring to influence a juror and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine hydrochloride.
His brother, William Topasna Mantanona, was also arrested and charged with obstructing justice by endeavoring to influence a juror and making a false statement to a federal agent.
Additionally, Gregorio Concepcion Tyquiengco, who had served as a juror in the case of United States v. Raymond John Martinez and Juanita Marie Quitugua Moser, was arrested and charged with contempt of court.
John Mantanona was arrested in Inarajan, Tyquiengco was arrested in Merizo, and William Mantanona was arrested in Chalan Pago, Guam.
It may be recalled that Martinez and Moser stand accused of attempting to smuggle eight pounds of methamphetamine into the island from California. The case was tried before District Court Chief Judge Francis Tydingco Gatewood and twice both trials ended with a hung jury. On the heels of the second mistrial, concerns by the defense were raised about the possibility of jury tampering, resulting in Tydingco-Gatewood granting the prosecution’s then motion, agreeing with the government’s premise that it is more likely to get a fair trial in California.
The John Topasna Mantanona case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Coast Guard Investigative Service, United States Marshals Service and United States Postal Inspection Service.
An indictment is merely a charge and the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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