Guam Blog

43,700 using food stamps

2012-02-19T19:24:00.002+10:00

About one in four people on Guam receive food-stamp benefits.

This month, about 43,700 Guam individuals received assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, said James Gillan, director of the Department of Public Health and Social Services, which translates into about $9 million in benefits issued.

The latest monthly total represents an increase of 6,000 people served by the program (formally known as the food stamp program) when compared to the fiscal 2010 total, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service website. The program is 100-percent federally funded.

"It increases almost every month," Gillan said.

In 2010, the national average for household participation was 11.9 percent, or nearly one in eight households, according to Gary Hiles, chief economist with the Guam Department of Labor.

Up by $10 million

In fiscal 2011, about $105.9 million in food-stamp benefits were issued on Guam, said Linda Susuico, chief human services administrator for the Division of Public Welfare, Department of Public Health.

That is up by about $10 million compared to the previous year, when about $96.7 million was issued, according to the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service website.

So far for fiscal 2012, about $46.6 million of food-stamp benefits have been issued.

During his recent State of the Island address, Gov. Eddie Calvo said one-third of islanders are on public assistance -- about 50,000 people on Medicaid or the Medically Indigent Program, and 40,000 who are on food stamps.

Part of the reason for the increase in food-stamp recipients may stem from the lack of available jobs, Gillan said. More residents are looking for work but aren't able to get it, the director said.
The income levels for households to be eligible for the food-stamp program also are more generous than other programs, Gillan said.

"There are even working families that are eligible for this program," he said.

The gross monthly income limit for a household of four to qualify for the food-stamp program is $2,422, according to information provided by Public Health.

In addition to income levels, the number of people in a household also is factored into eligibility and allotments.

A bit surprised

Economist Joseph Bradley, a senior vice president at the Bank of Guam, said he was a little bit surprised by the increase in people who receive food-stamp benefits because the economy has seemed to have stabilized a bit since the triple disaster in Japan last year. The disasters caused a decrease in Japanese tourist arrivals on Guam, which resulted in less work for island residents, especially in the service industry.

As far as the increase in total funding for Guam food-stamp benefits, Bradley said a reason could be the increase in food prices. Population growth on the island, in addition to the "serious economic problem" on the island, he said, also could be contributing to the increase in the number of people receiving food stamp benefits.

The cost of living on Guam also could be influencing the increase.

"I think as prices rise and the thresholds for public assistance rise that more people, people whose circumstances have not changed suddenly become eligible," Bradley said.

He said the average weekly earning from the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the same quarter of 2011 fell by about 1.2 percent, "so that also would probably push a number of people past the threshold for which they'd become eligible."

Hiles said another reason for the increase in expenditures and numbers of participants on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on Guam has to do with changes the federal government made in 2010. The income and asset limitations changed, which resulted in an expansion of the number of families that qualify.

And in 2009, the president's economic stimulus plan also put more funds into the food-stamp program by increasing benefit levels.

Hiles also said in an email that the high unemployment rate and the cost of food are contributing factors.

"The cost of food for families is greater than can be afforded on many households' incomes," he said. "A large number of households receiving food stamps have household heads and other members working."

The food-stamp program not only provides assistance to participants, it also provides a boost in the wholesale and retail grocery business, Hiles said.

"Food stamps are one of the programs that act as automatic stabilizers in the American economy," he said.

Salvation Army

A place people can turn to when they are in need of food is The Salvation Army. Its Family Support Center provides a variety of donated and/or purchased canned goods, rice, flour, sugar and other items to those who are eligible, according to Patrick Camacho, a social worker at The Salvation Army.

The number of households the organization serves increased from 2010 to 2011, Camacho said in an email. In 2010, The Salvation Army assisted 249 households, of which 32 percent were food-stamp program recipients. In 2011, the nonprofit assisted 335 households, where 49 percent were food-stamp recipients.

"Normally we only assist (food-stamp) recipients on the last week of the month because sometimes they run out of food stamps," he said.

He said food-stamp recipients also request The Salvation Army's services more often during the summer and over spring break and Christmas break, when children are out of school and thus not getting free or reduced meals.

Camacho said possible reasons for the increase in the number of clients are the high cost of living and the state of the economy.

Obama

Under President Barack Obama's proposed budget, which was released earlier this week, the USDA will get about $154.5 billion in mandatory spending, which is nearly a 5-percent increase from fiscal 2012, according to an article from The Associated Press.

It also would get $23 billion in discretionary funding, a decrease of almost $700 million.

Under the proposed budget plan, the administration would maintain eligibility requirements for food stamps, which cost the government an estimated $75 billion last year and are the bulk of the department's total budget, the AP reported.

Obama's budget also proposes to continue food-stamp benefits for some adults without dependents, who were scheduled to lose benefits.

Gillan said there are a small number of people who will be affected by this on Guam.

Guam man in mini-skirt arrested by police

2011-12-26T22:20:00.000+10:00

Norman “Natalia” James Cruz

Guam man in a pink mini-skirt who allegedly robbed a man on Christmas morning has been arrested after a scuffle with police.

Norman “Natalia” James Cruz, 19, of Asan, allegedly attacked a man near the Fountain Plaza Circle K Store in Tumon at about 1 a.m. on Sunday, according to a press release from police.

Witnesses led police to Cruz, who was allegedly hiding behind a traffic light control panel wearing a pink mini-skirt, the police press release states. Officers ordered Cruz to come out of hiding and get down on the ground.

“The individual came out and answered the officers in a deep sounding voice, asking the officers ‘What?’” wrote police spokesman Officer A.J. Balajadia in the press release. “When instructed to get on the ground, the individual started stomping his feet and (throwing) a temper tantrum.”

Cruz also allegedly slapped a police officer, Balajadia wrote in the press release. The press release also notes that Cruz is a “large individual.”

Police have arrested Cruz on suspicion of assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, robbery, aggravated assault, assault and theft of property, the press release states. He was booked and confined.

Guam Blog

Guam natives were never 'Chamorro'

2011-11-18T09:31:00.001+10:00

"Chamorro" is defined in the Spanish language as (large calve muscle). It is also a surname in El Salvador, such as La Presidente Violeta Chamorro.

Chamorro should have never been used to describe the people of the Marianas. There was already a word for people (Tataotao). The caste system of rule, originating in India, was taken to Indonesia then to the Marianas 5,000 years ago. Pottery found to date in Guam is 5,000 years old. Therefore, the Tataotao were here too. The caste system on the Marianas finds "matua" as maga lahe nobles; atkaot were sub-chiefs and manakang were indentured servants.

This was the way and beginning of Polynesia. The language and spelling changed from a Polynesian spelling and tonal sound to a Mexican/Filipino tonal sound to accommodate the Spanish and the way they spell words. Such as from "ke" to "qui" and "Hagutna" to "Agana." Even the numbers were changed. For example "tulu" to "tres" and "lima" to "cinco."

The Spanish (in 1596) claimed Islas de Ladrones, now the Mariana Islands, for Spain. In 1668, the islands were a colony of Spain. The galleon ship trade route from Mexico to the Marianas then to the Philippines and on to Indonesia would be established successfully. The layover in the Marianas was necessary for rest, food and water.

Proto-Polynesians left Indonesia 5,000 years ago, heading north by northeast on 12 to 14 canoes beaching the 100-foot sakman outrigger canoes on the northwestern coast of Tinian. It is believed that the maga lahe ordered four families to Guahan and the rest to the other islands.

Left alone and unhampered from outside interference, with no bugs, mosquitoes, rats or snakes -- just fresh food and water -- the Tataotao grew tall and robust. For a thousand years they became a matriarchal society and grew in numbers. Some scientists think they were the strongest humans on Earth, based on bone density and muscle mass -- some reaching 7 feet in height. They had no need for clothing; they were all related as families and as a people. It stayed this way until the year 1521.
An explorer named Ferdinand Magellan, coming around Cape Horn, got lost in the Pacific and months later arrived by accident on Guam. As the months turned into years, more foreigners would come ashore -- Mexicans, Filipinos, American whalers, Europeans, Carolinians, Marshallese, Gilbertese, Yapese, Japanese, Hawaiians, etc. ... Of the group that came in greater numbers were Filipinos and Mexicans. The Marianas had wars between villages; wars between Palau; the Spanish Chamorro War, Spanish American War, World War II and so on.

The United States took procession of Guam in 1898 at the end of the Spanish American War, ending 302 years of mistreatment under the Spanish Flag.

Regardless of bloodline, if you're born or naturalized on Guam, you are Guamanian. You could be any race and, born on Guam, you are Guamanian. If you have lineage to the old Tataotao, you are Polynesian by blood. Depending on where you live in the Pacific, including the Mariana Islands, determines what type of Polynesian you are -- Marianan, Micronesian, Samoan, Hawaiian, Tahitian. You're a part of the struggle for self-determination.

Population drops

Guamanians have endured much from occupiers of their land. The world courts were unaware of the goings-on in the Marianas because the Spanish were the world law at the time. From 5,000 years ago, the Mariana Islands' largest population reached about 160,000 Tataotao. In the year 1521, there were 60,000 Tataotao. In 1668, there were 30,000 and by 1700 there were 1,400 Tataotao. All accounts of their disappearance were reported as illness or departures to other islands south of Guam (Micronesia).

In 1890, the population of native Islanders in the Marianas had dropped to 1,054 Tataotao. It was later found out that the abuse by the Spanish ... was a big factor for native abuse and deaths. Monies allocated for repairs and projects on Guam sometimes never showed up or were misused for other endeavors.

Guam's governor surrendered the island ... to American Capt. Henry Glass in 1898 and the Spanish departed for the Philippines. The Spanish occupation was over and a new era began with the Americans in 1898. As the natives busied themselves with the American occupation, life on the island improved for the so-called Chamorros, the mestizos and Filipinos. In 1939, the Americans and remnant Chamorro, Filipinos and mestizos voted to call themselves Guamanians. Shortly thereafter in 1950, the Congress of the United States enacted the Organic Act of 1950, making Guamanians U.S. citizens.

My Tatan Amadeo said to me, "John, look there on the cliff and see your Maga Guelu Tata. He was there 1,000 years ago; he was looking into the future to see you." Those words still resonate as I look at Fort Soledad. Our line is still here in my family -- me, my children and my grandchildren and great grandchildren. We were matua, atachot, manachang, Taotaomona, Chamorro now Guamanian. We are still the people -- Tataotao. We are mixed; we are Polynesians of Western Polynesia (Micronesia).
So don't despair because you are mixed my friend, the only thing constant is change. Don't worry -- "Chamorro" was never really our blood. But we do have large calves.

Trial set in $2M drug case on Guam

2011-10-23T16:15:00.004+10:00

The trial of the final suspect linked to one of the largest drug trafficking rings in Guam's recent history is scheduled to start in the District Court of Guam in two days.

Henry Pangelinan Fresnoza is facing 20 to 30 years in prison if convicted of his alleged role in a drug conspiracy that moved at least 2.5 kilograms of ice, worth more than $2 million, from Manila to Guam over about a decade.

Most of the conspirators were indicted in May 2010, but now Fresnoza is the only defendant facing trial. Everyone else has signed deals with prosecutors.

The drug kingpin, Gina Medina, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Medina is Fresnoza's sister, and although she had agreed to help prosecutors dismantle her drug ring, her plea agreement states that she cannot be forced to testify against her brother.

The others are waiting to testify, however.

That includes conspiracy lieutenant Andres Jasmin Sotelo, smuggler Rodean Villa, dealer Sofia San Agustin and money launderers Gilbert Ladonga and Ricardo Paras. The six have pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the drug smuggling ring, and all six are required to testify if called by prosecutors.

Federal authorities also have arrested Fresnoza's girlfriend, Jennifer Harsha, to ensure she's available to testify in the upcoming trial.

Harsha has not been accused of being part of this conspiracy, but prosecutors have argued she is a material witness who has tried to avoid testifying, court documents state.

Also linked to this case are Richard David and James Damaso, a drug smuggler and a drug dealer who were caught separately in 2008 and linked to the larger drug conspiracy years later.

David is serving a nine-year sentence in federal prison, and Damaso is serving almost seven years, but both could return to Guam to testify in the upcoming trial.

Fresnoza's trial is scheduled to start Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

According to court documents, Fresnoza has been charged with:

•Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, for allegedly working with Medina and Villa to sell ice since January 2004;
•Conspiracy to import methamphetamine, for allegedly working with Medina and Villa to smuggle ice since January 2004; and
•Drug possession with the intent to distribute, because federal agents allegedly found a small amount of ice on his dresser during a raid of Medina's home in Dededo.

That raid occurred on March 4, 2010, a few months before the conspiracy suspects were indicted in federal court.

On a dresser in one of the bedrooms, agents allegedly found about 0.15 grams of ice, plus small baggies, gram scales, cut straws and a notebook that appeared to contain records of drug transactions, court documents state.

"(Fresnoza's) bedroom had a television with a live feed to a camera mounted outside the front door," court documents state. "The central issue at Fresnoza's trial will be whether he was in fact living in that bedroom at the time of the search warrant."

Fresnoza denied living in the bedroom at that time when interviewed by authorities in March of this year, according to a case synopsis filed in the U.S. District Court of Guam.

During that interview, Fresnoza said the drugs or paraphernalia found on the dresser were not his, but confirmed the writing in the notebook was his handwriting.

DEA agents thought the notebook held drug records, but Fresnoza insisted they were much more mundane. The numbers in the notebook included carpentry measurements, memory requirements for downloaded music, credit card and banking numbers, customer service numbers for the purchase of exercise supplements and even a password for a pornography website.

Prosecutors don't believe him. According court documents filed in August, federal prosecutors believe Fresnoza's explanation of the notebook is "incriminating," so it will be introduced during the upcoming trial.

Ultimately, Fresnoza insisted during the March interview that he knew nothing of the drug conspiracy involving his sister, the case synopsis states.

If Medina was involved with ice, she "kept it hidden from him," Fresnoza told federal authorities, the synopsis states.

"Fresnoza believes he was falsely implicated in the distribution/possession/sale of methamphetamine by Ricardo Paras," the case synopsis states. "Fresnoza believes Paras was trying to get him in trouble because Fresnoza is dating Jennifer Harsha, who is the former girlfriend of Paras. According to Fresnoza, Paras wanted to get back together with Harsha."

During that interview in March, Fresnoza took a polygraph test, where he denied selling or transporting ice on Guam.

The test detected deception, court documents state, but this fact will not be introduced at trial, according to an agreement between attorneys.

"When confronted with (the results of the polygraph,) Fresnoza continued to maintain his innocence, and made no further admissions," the case synopsis states. "Fresnoza stated he was willing to go to trial, and the examination was terminated."

Fresnoza has been convicted previously of drug trafficking on Guam. He served about four years in federal prison after being convicted of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in 2003.

An alleged child rapist turned himself in to the hands of police

2011-10-15T14:41:00.002+10:00

An alleged child rapist turned himself in to the hands of police this morning, according to Guam Police Department spokesman Officer A.J. Balajadia.

Christopher Woodrome, 30, who is wanted on a felony warrant issued by the sheriff of Bernalillo County in New Mexico, turned himself in at the Dededo precinct earlier this morning after seeing his name and picture in the newspaper, Balajadia said.

According to an indictment filed in New Mexico courts, Woodrome is accused of repeatedly raping and molesting a young girl over a two-year period. Woodrome is also accused of kidnapping the girl, court documents state.

Woodrome faces 24 separate felony charges, the list of which span seven pages of the New Mexico court indictment. In the Bernalillo court system, just one first-degree felony conviction can carry a sentence of 18 years in prison, according to court documents.

"We are part of the U.S.," said Balajadia earlier this afternoon. "So if anyone thinks they can flee here to run away from charges they have been indicted for in the states, they're wrong."

The spokesman said the Guam Police Department has access to the National Crime Information Center, a criminal database that logs indictments, criminal history and outstanding warrants.

Woodrome was booked and confined on allegations based on the warrant in New Mexico.

Guam Blog

GPD vows to release internal findings

2011-10-14T04:50:00.002+10:00

After more than a year of dormancy, a website where the Guam Police Department publishes Internal Affairs Division reports has been revived on orders of the police chief.

Since Police Chief Fred Bordallo took over in January, three single-page reports, summarizing Internal Affairs investigations for the public, have been added to the website. They are the first reports of this kind published since 2009, when only one was released.

"I've always valued transparency," Bordallo said yesterday. "At the same time, ... as part of enabling legislation, people should know when an allegation is made to the Guam Police Department. And there is a way of showing it on the website."

However, in recent years most GPD Internal Affairs reports have never been released publicly.

Although the three new reports are the only ones released this year, Internal Affairs had completed 15 Internal Affairs investigations as of May, according to Pacific Daily News files.

The total has risen since then, said division head Officer Elmer Sardoma, but the three on the website were some of the "most major cases."

"And there will be more write-ups as soon as they can be completed. I can assure you that," Sardoma said yesterday, when asked why all completed investigations hadn't been summarized on the website.

According to Guam law, the police department is supposed to publish a "preliminary disposition" of all allegations against police officers within 30 days of an Internal Affairs filing. A summary of all final dispositions should be included in the police department's annual report, the law states.

Neither of these mandates actually happened.

If you include the three newly uploaded reports, only eight reports have been published to GPD's website since 2007.

Also, the police department hasn't published an online annual report since 2007. And that report didn't include Internal Affairs summaries, as required by law.

Yesterday, Bordallo admitted that the agency had fallen woefully behind when it came to publishing reports on Internal Affairs investigations, but he said much of the delay was a shortcoming of technology -- not transparency.

The whole GPD website is lacking, not just the Internal Affairs section, he said.

That is because the agency's short-handed information technology staff are stretched simply trying to keep police officers wired to the online world, Bordallo said. Webmaster duties take a backseat quite often, he said.

However, under his watch, the police department started a renewed attack at the backlogs of Internal Affairs reports, posting summaries that should have been uploaded long ago, Bordallo said.

"We need to ensure that what should get posted gets posted," Bordallo said. "So that means, some of it will appear outdated, but we want to try and be in full compliance."

Bordallo said he believed that police department statisticians have completed annual crime reports for 2008 and 2009, only the reports haven't been uploaded to the website yet. It is unclear if these unpublished reports contain Internal Affairs summaries.

New reports

The Internal Affairs division of the police department's website may be far behind, but the three new reports are a start at least.

The reports don't include names of the accused officers, but they do detail the allegations and summarize investigation findings. Here are summaries of the three:

•In February, an Internal Affairs investigation uncovered that a police officer had taken a controlled substance during his off-duty hours. Evidence and detailed interviews with a witness led investigators to believe there was a "strong possibility" of illegal drug use. The allegations were "sustained" and accused officer resigned so the case was closed.

•Later that same month, an officer assigned to the Neighborhood Patrol Division was accused of failing to take a report of a crime that was reported to him. The officer spoke to a couple, who reported a crime against one of their family members, but ultimately didn't file a report. The parents weren't satisfied, so they filed a report at a different precinct. The accused officer was cited for "unsatisfactory performance," as was his supervisor.

•In April, a police officer was arrested for allegedly assaulting his common-law wife during a dispute at their house. Photographs revealed that both the officer and his wife were injured in the altercation. Investigators found the assault allegations "sustained," so the officer resigned and the Internal Affairs case was closed. A court case continues.

In contrast, not a single Internal Affairs report was uploaded in 2010. However, Pacific Daily News files show that the police department launched at least several Internal Affairs investigations last year, including some that led to police officer sanctions.

For example, an high-profile internal investigation into former police Chief Paul Suba -- who was accused of using excessive force during a car chase -- led to a letter of reprimand from the lieutenant governor.

There is no report about Suba, the chase or the reprimand on the GPD Internal Affairs website.

Sardoma said he had no idea why documents on major investigations such as the one into Suba were never published. Sardoma was placed in charge of Internal Affairs in February.

"I can't answer for that," Sardoma said. "But you're right, also, it should be there."

Guam man charged with fondling girl

2011-10-10T04:34:00.002+10:00

A 23-year-old Guam man who allegedly fondled a minor was charged in the Superior Court of Guam with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

According to court documents, Carmelo Anthony Quintanilla Mendiola Jr. allegedly entered a residence shared by a woman and her minor daughter through a bedroom window. The mother and daughter were sleeping in the same bed, documents state.

The woman stated to police that Mendiola crawled into the bed and allegedly fondled the minor, documents state.

The daughter's scream awoke the mother, who then asked Mendiola how he got into the apartment, documents state. The mother asked Mendiola to leave, after which he did.
According to the mother, Mendiola had allegedly sexually assaulted her on a prior occasion, documents state.

In that occasion, the mother told police that Mendiola forced his way into her apartment and allegedly began having sex with her until she was able to push him away, documents state.
When later arrested, Mendiola stated that he had a consensual sexual relationship with the mother, but admitted to crawling into her apartment in the early morning hours without her consent, documents state.

The defendant stated he accidentally crawled next to the woman's minor daughter and accidentally unhooked her bra while shaking her to wake her up, documents state.

Mendiola was charged with burglary as a second-degree felony; two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct as a misdemeanor; and assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct as a third-degree felony.

Guam Court says Actor Rodriguez must pay $2 million

2011-08-17T07:08:00.000+10:00

Actor Rodriguez Sr.

The Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation has won a legal battle in federal court against a former Cabinet official who was assessed $2.3 million in non-payment of taxes and penalties.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Joaquin V.E. Manibusan Jr., in an Aug. 12 order, entered a judgment in favor of Rev and Tax. Actor Dennis Rodriguez Sr. and his wife, Asuncion Rodriguez, sued in 2009, arguing that Rev and Tax failed to comply with applicable law and regulation in conducting an independent administrative review of an offer to settle their tax debt.

The Rodriguezes offered a $40,000 payment to settle the tax assessment. Rev and Tax rejected that offer, stating the Rodriguezes owe $2.3 million in taxes, inclusive of interest and penalties for late payment, between 1996 and 2001.

The Guam court order states Rev and Tax's failure to conduct an administrative review before rejecting the $40,000 offer did not nullify the $2.3 million assessment for unpaid taxes and penalties.

While the court order ruled in favor of Rev and Tax, it did not address the merits of the department's counterclaim, which seeks to foreclose on certain real estate property which the Rodriguezes own.

Rev and Tax in April 2009 placed tax liens against all current and future property owned by the couple.

Dennis Rodriguez Sr. owes five years of income taxes from his Tumon luxury goods boutique, according to a Rev and Tax audit.

He is a former auditor for Rev and Tax, according to the resume he submitted in 1995 after he was appointed Public Health director. According to his resume, Dennis Rodriguez Sr. "audited income tax returns" as a revenue agent for Rev and Tax from January 1979 through December 1982. Before that, he worked as an accountant at the Department of Administration and as financial officer for the Territorial Crime Commission.

The alleged failure to pay taxes happened while he worked as a government Cabinet member.

Guam Criminal: Lawsuit against federal prison and DOC

2011-08-17T03:13:00.002+10:00

A former Marine who has already admitted that he stole his brother’s identity so he could work at Naval Hospital for 19 months has filed a lawsuit claiming inadequate conditions at the Hagåtña lockup.

Jason Robert Daniels, 25, filed his handwritten lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the District Court of Guam on Aug. 9.

In the lawsuit, Daniels alleges that federal detainees — including himself — are kept in unacceptable conditions by the Guam Department of Corrections, who holds detainees on behalf of the federal government.
Daniels alleges in his lawsuit that lockup suffers from water leaks, broken toilets and sinks, and lengthy air-conditioning outages. The lawsuit also alleges that prisoners are not given required hygiene products — like soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper — on a weekly basis or clothing that is mandated by federal law.
Finally, Daniels alleges that daily meals at the Hagåtña lockup deviate from the calorie and protein standards set by federal law.

Daniels is being held on Guam because he hasn’t been sentenced yet, but he should move to a federal prison in the mainland next month.

DOC spokesman Lt. Antone Aguon confirmed that Daniels has been held in the Hagåtña federal detention facility since October, but said they agency’s lawyer had advised he not to talk about the lawsuit.

In March, Daniels plead guilty to swiping the identity of his brother, then enlisting in the Navy in Detroit under this false name in January, 2008. Once in the Navy, Daniels was sent to Guam to work as a corpsman at Naval Hospital Guam for about 19 months, during which time he earned about $60,000.

Daniels ended his deception by attempting to kill off his fake identity while leaving all his earnings to his true identity, the plea agreement states. He created a will and military life insurance policy that benefited his real identity, then left a fake suicide note in his home and left island unannounced.

He was later apprehended in Illinois.

Daniels’ plea agreement requires him to serve two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, but federal prosecutors hope for a longer sentence.

Federal public defender John Gorman has said previously that he expects “a big argument” at Daniels’ sentencing hearing, which is currently set for Sept. 13.

http://island-ville.blogspot.com/2011/08/guam-criminal-lawsuit-against-federal.html

Guam International Airport Baggage Theft Ring

2011-08-09T02:57:00.002+10:00

Airport police have arrested 10 people who are allegedly linked to a baggage theft ring, which has been under investigation for several months, according to a press release.

Catherine Garcia, Lavar Luna, Matthew Acfalle, Raythan San Agustin, Donavan Losongco, Joven Deocampo, John Sampson II, Aaron-Jon Lizama, Baron Diego and Christopher Meno have all been arrested, according to Airport Police Chief Robert Camacho.

All the suspects except Sampson were booked and released by airport police, Camacho wrote.
Sampson has also been released, but not until after he was charged with third-degree felony during a Superior Court of Guam hearing last week, according to court documents.

According to the airport press release, the theft ring has allegedly stolen thousands of dollars worth of items from passengers' bags, and the arrested suspects include several members of a ground handling company.
The investigation continues and more arrests are "expected" in the next few weeks, the press release states.

"We want to assure the traveling public that the airport's priority is to safeguard passengers and their personal property and we have committed all possible resources to address complaints concerning airport security," said airport Executive Manager Mary C. Torres in the press release.

According to court documents filed last week, Sampson allegedly took items, including cameras and wallets, out of luggage carts that were destined for outbound international Delta Airlines flights.

Court documents state that at least two people allegedly witnessed Sampson take items out of passengers' bags. One of those alleged witnesses was Lizama, who was also arrested.

The other theft suspects have not been charged in court, and their alleged roles in the theft ring are unclear.
Sampson and Lizama were employees of Delta Global Services, also known as DGS, at the time of the alleged incident. Court documents state that Lizama was a DGS employee and Lt. Patrick Fejeran, the case's lead investigator, confirmed last week that Sampson was also employed by DGS at the time.

Governor wants to change name of Guam to Guahan

2011-08-01T14:07:00.000+10:00

The Governor of Guam, Felix Camacho, has issued an executive order to change the official name of Guam to Guahan. His executive order applies to all GovGuam agencies and encourages the local businesses and the community at large to adopt the name change as well. In addition the executive order requests lawmakers pass a law re-designating Guam as Guahan.

The name Guahan was the name predominantly used for three centuries prior to the 1898 Treaty of Paris. The Governor believes that changing the name back to Guahan will help to preserve the Chamorro language and culture.

http://island-ville.blogspot.com/2011/08/governor-wants-to-change-name-of-guam.html

Racism on Guam

2011-07-27T17:26:00.000+10:00

Everything from the military, the outer islanders, caucasians... I know thats it's one of those things thats been on island for ever, where the locals (Chamorus) would atan baba a lot of the "outsiders"

Because of FSM and Filipinos...Guam has alot of problems. Before they migrated to Guam (not by the dozen, but by the thousands)- Guam has declined. Yes, alot of Chamorus left Guam and now reside Stateside. I, myself was born and raised in the States - both of my parents are Chamoru and I LOVE GUAM. I live in the southern part of Guam. If you lived in the northern part or even central part - you cannot say that Guam sucks because of the Chamorus - it is because of the FSM and the Filipinos, look at the nationalities working in the places you visited MAJORITY OF THEM are filipino or FSM - because they will work for any amount of money...they have 3 or more families living in the same house. FSM are the people who are always in the PDN because they committed some crime - filipinos hit the PDN because they stabbed their spouse or what not. Guam is GREAT...if you are not from Guam and cannot grasp the beauty of the island and of it's PEOPLE (chamoru not some other race) you will see that we are GREAT people...more family oriented than majority of the world. WE take care of each other and if a visitor comes to our BBQ we invite them in and make them feel at home. If you are military and had bad vibes from the islanders - most likely it is because you acted bad ass and better than the chamorus OF COURSE THEY WILL KICK YOUR ASS...Military personnel think they are better than us islanders, but if you were to see inside the person, chamorus are better at the heart and a better person all around. If you went to DMV and had to wait for a long time to be served - look around you and see the DIFFERENT kind of people around you and you will see that chamoru is the minority in line...

As for the 13 year old, come on Guam is laid back and easy going...if you want a fun place to be go to California or Florida - hopefully nothing bad happens to you. As for purchasing things online - yes I do the same, but if the companies on Guam brought the merchandise in - the product will be expensive and you probably will still purchase it online - the freight charge and such are high, because Guam is far away - think of all the charges. If you were to register your car in the States vs. Guam then tell me who is cheaper? Come on this is reality EVERY PLACE IN THE WORLD HAS FLAWS AND THINGS THAT PEOPLE DON'T LIKE BUT IT IS STILL A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

Have you ever been to the Phillipines? Or a FSM island?

Let me know what you think of those places.

Paul Suba Steps Down

2011-07-21T12:47:00.002+10:00

Acting Chief Police Paul Suba

AMID a flurry of media criticism and his leadership being called into question, Guam police chief Paul Suba yesterday stepped down from his post after his meeting with acting Gov. Mike Cruz.

Suba’s resignation was effective yesterday.

“I will take 20 days of administrative leave to ensure a smooth transition and exhaust my annual leave before retirement,” Suba said in a press statement.

Cruz announced the appointment of Major Rick Leon Guerrero as acting chief of police. Leon Guerrero will also continue his role as acting police commander.

Cruz told the media that if Suba had not tendered his resignation, he would have fired him.

Suba came under fire last week as a result of GPD’s search on KUAM studios, where investigators confiscated a document related to the polygraph test for spokesman John Edwards.

Difficult decision

Governor Felix Camacho is currently off island. Last week, Cruz urged the governor to replace Suba, saying his lack of leadership has diminished the confidence of the people in the police department.

Cruz said he accepted Suba’s request for retirement after consulting with the governor.

Although Suba’s resignation will mean a change in leadership at GPD, Cruz said he will not lose his faith in the men and women of that department.

Cruz said the decision was difficult for him since he considers Suba a friend.

“Sometimes friends are difficult to part with and for me, it was an issue of making sure our departments are going to be able to do the job that they’re created to do,” Cruz said.

“And so, that was my decision. We needed to find somebody else to do it,” the acting governor said, noting his lack of confidence in Suba’s effective leadership.

Cruz said the governor was aware of his decision to meet with Suba yesterday.

“Obviously, [the governor] is also a friend of the chief’s and I think that he was obviously sad about the fact that we were seeing a friend depart as one of our leaders,” Cruz said. “Hopefully we can restore the public’s confidence in the police department with new leadership.”

Uncomfortable

Cruz clarified that although the governor said last week he needed more time before deciding on Suba’s fate, the governor never stated that letting go of Suba was a decision he wouldn’t make.

“It was a little bit uncomfortable but the governor never stated that it was not the decision he wanted to make. It was just a matter of getting some investigation and a better understanding of the situation,” Cruz said. “And in my discussions with him earlier, he understood that this was a matter that needed to take place.”

Cruz said yesterday he was confident that Leon Guerrero will restore public confidence in the police department. “We served together in the Guam Army National Guard. He’s a long time veteran of the police force. And at least in my discussions with the rank and file, he’s respected and fair,” the acting governor said.

“The process takes some time and he will be on administrative leave for a period of time as he starts the process of retiring,” Cruz said.

Public safety committee chairman Sen. Adolpho Palacios Sr. said he respected Cruz’s actions on Suba’s resignation, saying the new development at the police force will now allow officials to focus on moving ahead with what needs to be done at GPD.

Distractions

“There are many distractions that don’t have much to do with police work and GPD needs to move beyond that,” said Palacios.

Palacios said that his oversight hearing scheduled for May 24, 9 a.m. in the public hearing room to discuss the hiring practices at GPD and search warrant application by GPD will be held since it doesn’t particularly focus on Suba, but rather issues that pertain to the department.

Palacios said that he expects last Wednesday’s issued search warrant of KUAM will be a topic of discussion, but Palacios said he will not call into question Superior Court Judge Anita Sukola’s decision to issue one.

Source : Paul Suba Steps Down

Guam Blog

2011-07-16T12:07:00.003+10:00

Guam is tropical but definitely not a paradise. Guam is situated in the west pacific about 13 degrees north of the equator. Temperatures are hot and humid year round with temperatures in the 80';s and 90's. Trade winds blow during the dry season and offer some cooling. During the wet season, rain and thunder storms occur frequently and with intensity. They disrupt computers and cell phone service. Typhoons are always a threat. One major one occurs every 8-10 years. Minor ones occur too, as well as earth quakes. Houses are constructed like concrete bunkers to with stand the typhoons. . Windows have shutters.

Military Presence

The military dominates the island with its naval and air bases. Troops deploy from Guam. Security is tight. The military routinely changes civilian flight plans to accommodate its needs for airplanes. The island people, the Chamorro, do not like the military.

Employment

Unemployment on Guam is higher than on the U.S. mainland. Employment comes from three sources: military, tourism and Guam government. All civilian job applications must go through the Department of Administration (DOA) where they are rated for qualifications. There is much favoritism with jobs going to island relatives who are not qualified. The outsider job applicants refer to their job applications as (DOA), dead on arrival when they reach this government agency.

Traffic Congestion

Roads are poorly maintained and congested. Drivers don't follow the Rules of the Road. Accidents involving pedestrians are commonplace. The police fail to enforce traffic rules.

Phone Service

Land line phone service is unreliable. Most residents resort to cell phones. Cell phone service from Guam to the U.S. mainland is questionable at times.

Cost of Living

The cost of living is high because everything has to be imported. Gas, grocery and electricity are particularly high. Shortages occur routinely. People learn to stock up on the basics when they can.

Housing

Housing is cheap. However, this will change when the military moves its forces from Japan to Guam.

Schools

The public school system at all levels is terrible. Teachers are understaffed and underpaid. Teachers teach without the requisite degrees and some of them are hardly older than the students they teach.

Health Care

Except for the military, health care is poor as well. Patients wait a long time for appointments. The island lacks equipment such as MRI machines. Testing is done on the island, but results must be sent to the mainland for analysis.

Animal Control

Dogs roam the streets uncontrolled. If a dog is hit by a car, nothing is done to remove it. Dogs, especially black ones, are a food delicacy among some cultures on the island.

Population

The native people are called Chamorro. Other people make up the population such as Japanese, Korean, Pilipino and Vietnamese. English and Chamorro are the official languages. Guam is a territory of the u.S. It uses U.S. currency and the U.S. postal service. However, if you are going to send a package to Guam from the U.S. you need a customs form.

Tourism and recreation

Tourism is big business in Guam. Guam was once occupied by the Japanese. Japanese World War II bunkers are the biggest attraction. Parts of the island are very beautiful including the beaches and water. Guam boasts many water parks. Many hotels and apartment complexes have swimming pools.

Travel to Guam

Passports are required to travel to Guam from the U.S. Flights typically depart from San Francisco. The first leg of the trip is San Francisco to Hawaii then, Hawaii to Guam. The whole trip takes approximately 14 hours.

Festivals and holidays

Guam celebrates many festivals. Guam is Catholic and celebrates all the saints" days. It celebrates its own independence day. Very little work is done in the month of December because of the Christmas holidays.

If you are an intense, type a personality, stay away from Guam. You will be frustrated all the time. Things get done very slowly there if at all.

Guam - A Tropical Paradise?

2011-07-16T11:12:00.004+10:00

Does Guam Suck?

2011-07-15T21:19:00.001+10:00

I'm interested in moving to Guam per nice weather, closer to Philippines, etc but am hearing lots of bad things like:

Polluted unsafe beaches--really sucks if true cause nice beaches would seem to be a major attraction
Lots of crime and you need bars on your house windows, etc
Terrible public schools
Terrible hospital
Lots of stray dogs
People just dump stuff like refrigerators, etc
Terribly Nepotism per getting jobs, etc
Terrible drug problems

Is this stuff true?

We live in states. Being on Guam however would put my Filipino wife much closer to her family in the PI. I think I could get some kind of government job on Guam. Nice weather attracts me.

Thanks much!

The Guam Military Buildup SUCKS!

2011-07-05T04:49:00.002+10:00

Why Guam Sucks

2011-05-21T11:57:00.004+10:00

I've chosen to make my home on Guam for personal reasons, but this is the worst place I've ever lived. I've been to many islands, and most island people are welcoming, friendly, and charming. This place is almost hostile. No concept of hospitality, and the worst waiters and service people I've ever encountered in my life. Try taking care of business at the department of revenue and taxation - you may need a drink or a shoulder to cry on afterward.

Everything costs double, not just because goods have to be imported, but because local business have monopolies on certain industries and charge as much as they ca. When first apartment hunting, I was shown $1,500-$2,000 per month apartments so run-down and nasty that I've seen better section 8 housing stateside. This is because all property owners automatically set their base rents at military housing allowance, which is a ridiculously high $1,700. Try renting a decent (one that isn't filthy and will not get broken into) apartment on a regular salary - yeah, not gonna happen. Oh, and if you like air-conditioning (who doesn't when it's 90 degrees outside 90% of the year?), prepare to pay $400 or more per month for a single family home.

I've lived in big, major metropolitan areas, cities people associate with crime. I had never been robbed - until I got to Guam. I was robbed on Guam twice in two years. And when I say robbed, I mean "inside jobs." Staff at the hotel and apartment where I stayed had access to my rooms (duh, they're staff). One day, after a short stay off island, I came home to find everything gone - even my freaking tennis shoes. When the cops came, I pointed out empty beer cans that weren't mine (yeah, the thieves made themselves right at home). Perhaps they should take them for prints....they LAUGHED. The police LAUGHED AT ME because GUAM HAS NO FINGERPRINT DATABASE OR FORENSIC LAB OF ANY KIND.

People still abuse/ignore stray animals and enjoy cock-fighting here. The island's only pound is disgusting and in disrepair (have you been to the SPCA on Oahu? It's like a hotel). Guam's situation with animals is 40 years or more behind most developed nations.

If you get sick on Guam you are screwed. Basically, if you go into Guam Memorial Hospital for an emergency, chances are you won't come out alive. The GMH emergency room entrance looks like a triage unit for an army doing ground warfare in the middle east. The parking lot is packed 24/7 (when I say "packed" I mean, cars have to park all the way down the street and into a residential area). Why? Because people who have no money or insurance use it as a clinic - because they know they can't be turned away. That's right - they just don't give a damn. They don't care that people with real emergencies may suffer because they caught a cold and don't want to pay for the treatment. Oh, did I mention the hospital is not approved by stateside medical organizations? And that some of its former directors have been accused/convicted of theft and selling prescriptions?

And based on news of late, it looks like our next governor will either be a nepotistic thief of a murdering thief. No, I am not speaking in metaphors - the locals will know what I'm talking about.
Most locals will start getting a rope ready to hang you if you spoke of any of this (elephant in living room stuff) in public. It's because most have never lived any where else for an extend period of time, although more Chamorros live off island than on island (gee I wonder why). And they're really sensitive. Anyway, I'm here to stay, for a while anyway. And I smile and welcome everyone and try to be good island representative and try to pretend like this place isn't going to.

Moving to Guam

2011-05-11T11:54:00.002+10:00

I'm interested in moving to Guam per nice weather, closer to Philippines, etc but am hearing lots of bad things like:

polluted unsafe beaches--really sucks if true
cause nice beaches would seem to be a major attraction
lots of crime and you need bars on your house windows, etc
Terrible public schools
Terrible hospital
lots of stray dogs
people just dump stuff like refrigerators, etc
Terribly Nepotism per getting jobs, etc
Terrible drug problems

Is this stuff true?

We live in Oregon. Being on Guam however would put my Filipino wife much closer to her family in the PI. I think I could get some kind of government job on Guam. Nice weather attracts me.

Oh yeah, if you have a Pinoy wife, your wife will probably get racial remarks from the locals there in Guam. However its not that uncommon around all pacific islands, especially Hawaii. However islands like Tinian and Saipan are more accepting. All of the islands have sky rocketing electric bills. But locals around the northern islands invite almost anybody for a bbq. Your wife and you should be good, besides your soon growing hatred for the government. But I'm sure you and your wife will make great friends especially of Philipinos and locals around in Saipan. But the economy as of now last I check aint that good.

Welcome to Guam

2011-05-02T11:47:00.003+10:00

welcome to guam: where chinese are locals, but don't hire locals!
welcome to guam: oh.... lack of water.
welcome to guam: where the tagalos are richer den the chamorros
welcome to guam: where the saipan people rule.
welcome to guam: where they go to church after they collect the chenchule
welcome to guam: i love guam.....BULLSHIT MY ASS...
welcome to guam: where god doesn't care!!
welcome to guam: where B.B was born.
welcome to guam: where my mama got aids.
welcome to guam:where gay/ and lesbians are people too.