by Mindy Aguon
Guam - Three police
officers, a brothel owner, and two of her former workers could go to trial as
soon as next month or early January. Police Officers David Q. Manila, Anthony Quenga and Mario Laxamana
appeared in court today asking once again to be released from jail. The officers have been behind bars since they
were picked up by Superior Court Marshals last Friday night following a
superseding indictment that accuses them of conspiring, promoting and
furthering prostitution at the former blue house lounge.
Manila faces two counts of 1st
degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly sexually assaulting two workers at
the bar, while Quenga allegedly threatened to arrest one of the workers if she
did not perform sexual acts. Defense attorneys today argued that their clients
should be released on their own recognizance or be placed on house arrest to
third-party custodians. Attorneys say their clients civil rights were violated
when they were not given an opportunity to appear before a judge within 48
hours and they argue the statute of limitations has expired to charge their
clients.
The judge took the motions for bail under advisement and is
expected to issue a decision on Friday morning when owner Song Ja Cha is scheduled
to answer to the criminal charges when a Korean interpreter is available.
