A federal jury trial has been set for Oct. 27 for 27-year-old Kane Alexander Pangelinan Ybanez, who pleaded not guilty to allegations that he lied on a vehicle loan application and twice falsely represented himself as a federal agent.
Defense attorney Robert T. Torres told Marianas Press after Ybanez’s Sept. 3 initial appearance and arraignment that the defense will review the government’s evidence as the case moves toward trial.
“We'll consult with the government, review the discovery and I just want to, you know, kind of emphasize that with every case there's the presumption of innocence, a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” Torres said.
Ybanez appeared out of custody before U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona and pleaded not guilty to all three charges. Assistant U.S. attorney Garth R. Backe is prosecuting the case, while Torres represents Ybanez. The jury trial is set for Oct. 27 at 10am.
The most serious charge, making a false statement on a loan application, carries a maximum of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both, with no mandatory minimum. Each of the two false-impersonation charges carries up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Those are maximum penalties allowed by law, not a sentence Ybanez has received or necessarily would receive if convicted.
A federal grand jury indicted Ybanez last Aug. 19. According to the indictment, Ybanez was appointed as a criminal investigator with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations on Sept. 8, 2025, subject to a one-year probationary period.
Federal prosecutors allege his employment was terminated Dec. 17, 2025, while he was attending the Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers in Glynco, Georgia.
The indictment says Ybanez received and signed a letter stating his termination was “effective as of your receipt of this letter.” He returned to Saipan the following day, one day before he had been scheduled to graduate from the training program.
Six days after his termination, prosecutors allege, Ybanez applied for a vehicle loan.
The indictment alleges that on Dec. 24, Ybanez told First Hawaiian Bank that he was employed by “ICE Immigration & Customs Enforcement” as a “Criminal Investigator” earning “$5,634.00” a month.
Three days later, prosecutors allege Ybanez told CNMI Department of Public Safety officers that he was a “federal agent” or “HSI agent” in an effort to be released from custody.
The third count alleges that on Jan. 10, 2026, Ybanez again claimed to be a “federal agent” or “HSI agent,” this time in an effort to influence a DPS officer attempting to make an arrest.
These are allegations and have not been proven in court. Ybanez has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Torres said Ybanez also has the support of his family.
“One of the important things for Mr. Ibanez is while the charges are serious and significant he definitely has the strong support of his family present with him and that's always a good thing and we'll work together to ensure that justice is done in the case,” Torres said.
Family members were present with Ybanez in court.
The federal government did not seek to detain Ybanez while the case is pending. Manglona ordered him released under conditions recommended by U.S. Probation, and Torres said Ybanez would surrender his passport by the end of the day.
Backe said the government initially had concerns about the presence of a firearm but that the matter appeared to have been addressed. He also advised that obtaining a firearm while under felony indictment would itself constitute a separate federal offense. Ybanez is prohibited from possessing a firearm or other weapon while on release.
Pretrial motions are due Sept. 17 and motions in limine by Oct. 6. The jury trial remains scheduled for Oct. 27 at 10am.
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