This afternoon the court handed down its first sentence in the case involving the conspiracy to smuggle contraband into the Department of Corrections. However, it wasn’t your usual sentencing as it was met with applause and cheer.
An emotional Roxanne Hocog apologized to the people of Guam for her crimes, telling the court that it was the drugs that made her do wrong and that she has since made efforts towards recovery and was giving back to the community.
Hocog will not serve any additional time behind bars as Superior Court Judge Anita Sukola gave her accolades, sentencing her to five years incarceration, all suspended with credit for time served.
She will also need to pay off the remaining $6,000 fine and was placed on supervised release.
Hocog is one of 13 individuals implicated in the conspiracy to smuggle drugs and other contraband into the Mangilao prison compound.
She took a deal with the government two years ago and as part of that deal, the court noted that her assistance resulted in co-defendants also taking deals with the government.
According to the government, Hocog picked up a total of three contraband cases within six months. However, the government also applauded Hocog’s progress as she has been drug-free for two years.
Showing their support were members of the Oasis Empowerment group, Togi, and New beginnings. Hocog says that she will continue with Oasis and helping those who are also trying to overcome drug addiction.
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