Judge discloses godmother relationship with Bowie, stays on DOC drug-smuggling case

Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio disclosed that she is the godmother of one of the defendants in the Department of Corrections drug-smuggling case but will continue presiding over the proceedings after both the prosecution and defense agreed they had no objection to her remaining on the case.

During a status hearing last June 1 in Superior Court, Kim-Tenorio informed attorneys that she is the godmother of co-defendant Regina Visitacion Camacho Bowie, although she noted that she has not seen Bowie in approximately 25 years.

After making the disclosure, the associate judge asked all counsel to place on the record whether they were comfortable with her continuing to handle the matter. Both sides agreed, and Kim-Tenorio said she would remain on the case for now, while acknowledging that recusal could become necessary depending on how the case develops. Another status conference was scheduled for July 6 at 10am.

Bowie attended the hearing accompanied by her mother. Her co-defendant, former Corrections officer Cleon Otto Reyes Pacho, appeared with his father, Franklin Pacho, who serves as his third-party custodian following his release on bail. Defense attorneys Douglas Hartig, for Bowie, and Keith Chambers II, for Pacho, represented the defendants, while Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds appeared on behalf of the government.

Family members said he has been helping repair homes damaged by Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which devastated Saipan and the rest of the CNMI last April.

The criminal case stems from allegations that Pacho attempted to bring drugs and other contraband into the correctional facility while on duty last March 24. According to court documents, investigators received information that contraband would be delivered to the prison that evening and conducted surveillance near the facility. Authorities allege that a vehicle entered the DOC employee parking lot and that Bowie, who was a passenger in the car, handed a plastic bag to Pacho before the vehicle departed.

Investigators later stopped the vehicle and identified Bowie as the passenger. Inside the prison compound, internal affairs personnel and DOC supervisors intercepted Pacho and searched the bag. Authorities allege it contained several zip-lock bags holding a green leafy substance and a crystalline substance, along with barbecue sticks, soft drinks, smokeless tobacco products, and lighters. The crystalline substance later tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 0.96 grams, according to court records.

Pacho was arrested at the correctional facility, while Bowie was taken into custody shortly after the traffic stop. Investigators said that during a subsequent interview, Pacho told police he had received a call from a woman who said she was delivering food for an inmate known as "Max." He allegedly told investigators that he believed the package contained only food and intended to bring it to his supervisor after retrieving it. He also reportedly stated that he did not know what was inside the bag.

Pacho previously pleaded not guilty through his attorney, Chambers, during his arraignment hearing. The case had initially been scheduled for earlier proceedings before court calendars were disrupted by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.