Bill makes home invasion a 1st degree felony

by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Senators Tony Ada and Chris Duenas have introduced legislation they say would strengthen the sanctity of our homes. Bill 119 would make home invasions a 1st degree felony for those who break into occupied homes with the intent to commit a crime.

"We were looking at the statute and really the statutes don't cover home invasions especially when you're home," Ada told KUAM News. "It's one thing to be burglarized and you come home and your property has been taken, but to come home and have someone come in while you're home and threaten you and your family it's not right. My dad was a victim of home invasion over 30 years ago, he was hit over the head and he was tied up and our home was burglarized and since that day our lives have changed."

He says a 1st degree felony carries a term of 15 years to life and Bill 119 would add a minimum sentence of 10 years that can't be reduced or suspended by the judge. The bill meanwhile also makes attempted home invasion and fleeing following a home invasion attempt the same as the actual crime of home invasion.