He’s the head of Guam’s public transit system—but now he’s at the center of a criminal case involving violence and threats. Guam Regional Transit Authority interim CEO Pierre Timothy Aguon is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, and his continued leadership is under scrutiny. 

Aguon was arrested on July 11. He’s charged with attempted strangulation and terrorizing—both third-degree felonies—as well as misdemeanor counts of assault and family violence. According to a magistrate complaint, the violent incident happened on June 7. A woman known to Aguon told police she discovered what appeared to be drug paraphernalia in his vehicle. When she confronted him, the confrontation escalated.

Aguon allegedly grabbed her wrist, forced her against a wall, and placed one hand around her throat while threatening, “You’ll go down. I can make people disappear.” The woman says she feared for her life and later fled with her children. She secured a court-issued protective order just days later and reported the incident to police on July 7—exactly one month after the alleged assault.

At Saturday’s magistrate hearing, Magistrate Judge Jonathan Quan denied the attorney general’s request for $20,000 cash bail, questioning the delayed filing and why Aguon hadn’t been brought in sooner. He instead released Aguon on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

Aguon was interviewed by police with his attorney present and admitted to officers that he placed his hands on the woman—and that he destroyed and discarded the drug paraphernalia after the altercation.

Asked about Aguon’s arrest, the governor’s communications director Krystal Paco-San Agustin told KUAM News, “This is an employee matter that will be handled according to applicable law and regulations.”

Aguon was appointed to lead GRTA in January. The agency is overseen by a board chaired by Mayor June Blas, but as of newstime, there’s been no announcement on whether Aguon will be placed on administrative leave—or who might step in during his absence.

For now, Aguon remains free under court-imposed restrictions as the case proceeds.