The corrections officers, meanwhile, pleaded not guilty.
Guam – Twelve of the thirteen individuals implicated in a conspiracy to promote major prison contraband and bribery answered to the charges against them while a warrant was issued for one that didn’t appear in court.
The defendants include inmates Shawn Paul Johnson and Bruno Simmons; Corrections Officers Frankie Rosalin, Fermin Maratita, Edward Crisostomo, Gerry Hocog, Jerome San Nicolas and head of internal affairs Lt. Jeff Limo; DPW employee Ronald Meno; and civilians Paul Lynwood Johnson, Rosalina Hocog, Roxanne Hocog and Liana Cabrera.
They face 51 charges ranging from drug possession, conspiracy to promote major prison contraband, conspiracy to deliver a schedule II controlled substance, official misconduct, receiving bribes, giving bribes, and destroying evidence, among other charges.
Out of the thirteen that were scheduled to appear in court today, only one, Liana Cabrera, did not show up. As a result a warrant has been issued for her arrest. Cabrera was charged with hindering apprehension and illegal possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.
Meanwhile four of the DOC officers, which include Limo, San Nicolas, Gerry Hocog, and Rosalin, the two inmates and two of the four civilians Roxanne Hocog and Paul Lynwood Johnson, all pleaded not guilty.
The DOC officers have been on House arrest since their release from jail. While DOC internal affairs head honcho Jeff Limo will be able to attend a family rosary and funeral as part of the exception to house arrest conditions, his co-defendant Gerry Hocog’s request for his release conditions to be modified was not entertained.
“He has not been terminated from DEPCOR so he remains an employee of DEPCOR. He needs to be able to support his family while this matter is pending and the house arrest conditions prevent him from going to work. We ask that they be lifted in order for him to return to work,” requested Attorney Jay Arriola.
But as Arriola points out he would not be returning to work at DOC instead it would be a part time employment as a security guard. However, Superior Court Judge Benjamin Sison stated that he will have to wait until his next court date and have the assigned judge decide. They are scheduled to appear before Judge Vernon Perez on October 9 at 9 a.m.
The other defendants were unable to enter a plea due to lack of legal counsel. They are DOC officer Edward Crisostimo, DPW employee Ronald Meno, civilian Rosalina Hocog and former DOC officer Fermin Maritita. Their arraignments have been continued to October 11 at 9 a.m.
