Four men from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a human smuggling operation between Saipan and Guam. The sentences were handed down by Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona in the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands after each defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, violating 8 U.S.C. §1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I).
Steven Villagomez Pangelinan, age 58, received a sentence of 30 months incarceration, two years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, and a $100 mandatory assessment fee. William J. Cabrera, Jr., age 44, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, and a $100 mandatory assessment fee. Steven Chris Tomokane, age 55, was given six months imprisonment followed by six months home detention, three years of supervised release, 100 hours community service, and a $100 mandatory assessment fee. Kenneth Hocog Pangelinan, age 39, received a sentence of 37 days incarceration, three years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, and a $100 assessment fee.
According to court documents and officials' statements, on June 22, 2023, Steven Pangelinan led two boats—an owned Boston Whaler and McKee Craft—on an overnight journey covering approximately 120 miles from Saipan to Guam. The group transported 21 Chinese nationals who each paid about $4,500 to bypass immigration checks at airports conducted by Customs and Border Protection. Guam authorities detected the vessels as they dropped off passengers and coordinated with CNMI law enforcement to intercept the boats upon their return.
Investigators found that Steven Pangelinan had organized multiple previous smuggling trips using his vessels. He captained one boat during the voyage that resulted in his arrest and reportedly earned at least $80,000 from that trip alone. Authorities also linked him to a third vessel used in smuggling operations; all three boats are subject to federal forfeiture.
William Cabrera acted as Pangelinan’s primary accomplice and captained the second boat involved in this trip as well as earlier voyages. Steven Tomokane worked as both crew member and mechanic for the operation—he stored Pangelinan’s vessels at his residence—and Kenneth Pangelinan served as crew alongside Tomokane on the June voyage.
United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson stated: “The defendants facilitated illegal migration and risked the lives of many for their own financial gain. Their conduct was part of a concerning trend involving the abuse of the CNMI visa waiver program, among other provisions of our immigration laws. We will combat this activity at every opportunity. I applaud the work of Guam and CNMI law enforcement in support of federal immigration enforcement.”
Lucia Cabral-DeArmas from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Honolulu commented: “This sentencing underscores Homeland Security Investigations’ unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks that exploit vulnerable individuals for profit while undermining the integrity of our immigration system. The defendants in this case endangered lives and violated the law in their attempt to smuggle individuals into Guam. HSI will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect our borders and hold those who engage in human smuggling accountable.”
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and CNMI Department of Public Safety.
Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Flores Jr. prosecuted the case in district court.
