by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Rota Senator Juan Manglona Ayuyu pleaded guilty to federal charges Monday in the U.S. District Court on Saipan. Ayuyu signed a plea agreement, admitting that in October 2010 he conspired with his legislative assistant, Ryan James Inos Manglona, to transport eight federally protected Mariana fruit bats from Rota to Saipan. According to a media release he also admitted that he conspired to obstruct a federal grand jury investigation by asking Manglona to lie about their involvement. (Manglona previously pleaded guilty to perjury and conspiracy to violate the Endangered and Lacey Acts.)According to the plea areement, subject to the Court's approval, he will receive a sentence of between 33 to 41 months in prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for November 8th, 2013.