DOC valedictorian charged in alleged drug smuggling attempt; bail set at $25K

A Corrections officer who was hailed as valedictorian of the Department of Corrections’ 10th cycle academy last year is now facing a felony charge after authorities accused him of attempting to smuggle drugs into the facility.

Cleon Otto Reyes Pacho, 20, appeared in the courtroom of Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo last March 26, escorted by DOC officers who had been his colleagues just days before. He is charged with promoting prison contraband under 6 CMC § 3205, with bail set at $25,000 cash.

Also charged in the same case is Regina Visitacion Camacho Bowie, 37, who authorities identified as the woman who handed Pacho a plastic bag outside DOC on the night of March 24. Bail for Bowie was likewise set at $25,000.

According to a complaint and affidavit filed by Department of Public Safety Det. Jonathan Joe N. Aguon, investigators received a tip that contraband would be brought into DOC that evening.

At around 7:45pm, Criminal Investigations Bureau personnel conducted surveillance near the facility. At about 8:40pm, officers observed a red Toyota Corolla enter the northern employee parking lot. Pacho was seen approaching the vehicle, where a female passenger handed him a plastic bag before the car left.

Police later stopped the vehicle along Chalan Kiya, Monsignor Guerrero Road, identifying the driver as Jose Blas and the passenger as Bowie.

Inside DOC, internal affairs officers and Capt. Benjamin Lizama intercepted Pacho and searched the bag. Authorities said it contained zip-lock bags with a green leafy substance and a crystalline substance, along with barbecue sticks, sodas, smokeless tobacco, and lighters.

The crystalline substance later tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine, weighing approximately 0.96 grams, investigators said.

Pacho was arrested at about 8:50pm, while Bowie was arrested shortly after the traffic stop.

During a March 25 interview, Pacho waived his rights and told investigators he received a call during his shift from a woman claiming she had food for an inmate identified as “Max.” He said he confirmed with the inmate, who told him it was “just food,” and left his post—asking another officer to cover for him—to retrieve the items.

Pacho told police he intended to bring the package to his supervisor but was stopped before he could do so, adding that he did not know what was inside the bag.

Bowie, in a separate interview, said her boyfriend drove her to DOC and instructed her to hand a bag containing barbecue and drinks to an officer who would meet them outside. She said she complied without speaking to the officer and was later arrested following the traffic stop.

Investigators said Pacho later identified Bowie as the individual who handed him the bag.

During the hearing, the court appointed Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig as counsel for Bowie, while an attorney for Pacho is expected to be assigned. Govendo ordered both defendants to appear at all required hearings, prohibited them from leaving the CNMI without court permission, and imposed a mutual no-contact order.

Office of Attorney General Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds appeared for the government.

A bail review hearing for Pacho is scheduled for April 2 at 9am, while arraignment for both defendants is set for April 6 at 9am in Courtroom 202.

A preliminary hearing has yet to be scheduled.

Pacho’s arrest marks a sharp turn from just over a year ago, when he was recognized as both valedictorian and “top gun” of the DOC’s 10th Cycle Corrections Academy during graduation ceremonies on Feb. 28, 2025.

In his valedictory speech, Pacho highlighted four principles he said defined his training—respect, integrity, teamwork, and accountability.

“We earn that privilege of being respected through our actions daily, achieving a higher level of respect and set a higher standard day in, day out,” he said.

On integrity, he told his fellow graduates: “[It’s owning] up to the consequences of your actions [and taking] pride in what you do and who you are.”

He described teamwork as “camaraderie, collaboration, and bonding” to achieve shared goals, adding, “we build this teamwork to create a positive change within our department and for the better of our society.”

On accountability, Pacho said it means “holding ourselves and our values accountable to every action we make.”