Maramba pleads guilty to fake green card charge; sentencing set for March 4

Lorna R. Maramba returned to the CNMI District Court last Feb. 13 and, in a subdued and at times trembling voice, pleaded guilty to using a fake green card in an attempt to fly to Hawaii.

“In God’s grace, I will tell the truth,” Maramba said as she was placed under oath before Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona.

Represented by court-appointed attorney Richard C. Miller, Maramba entered into an amended plea agreement signed by U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson and assistant U.S. attorney Eric S. O’Malley. Court interpreter Chris Hilario translated the proceedings. Manglona said her intention was to proceed with the change of plea as long as Maramba agrees, after confirming that the amended agreement had been fully reviewed with the defendant.

Maramba told the court she was born in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. Asked about her citizenship, she answered: Citizen of the Philippines? “Yes.” Citizen of the United States? “No.”

“I’m 64,” she said. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, major in accounting, and graduated in April 1984. Her first job, she told the court, was with an accounting firm in the Philippines. She said she was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and had not been treated for mental illness.

When Manglona asked whether she understood the details and consequences of her guilty plea, including the possible immigration consequences, Maramba repeatedly replied, “I understand, Your Honor.”

“I want to return back to the Philippines,” she meekly added.

Under the plea agreement, Maramba agreed to plead guilty to one count of possession of a false identification document with intent to defraud the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028(a)(4). The offense is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, and a mandatory $25 special assessment.

The charge stems from her January arrest at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, where authorities alleged she attempted to board a flight to Honolulu using a fraudulent I-551 permanent resident card, commonly known as a green card. As reported in a Feb. 11 story by Marianas Press, Maramba had been reviewing a sealed plea agreement following her arrest in connection with the airport incident.

In court, she admitted her conduct.

“I’m sorry I used fake green card to Honolulu, Hawaii,” she said softly.

“Via airplane?” Manglona asked.

“Yes, Your honor.”

“You knew it was a fraudulent green card?”

“Yes, Your honor.”

When asked if she was pleading guilty because she was in fact guilty of the charged offense, she answered, “Yes, your honor.”

At one point she told the court: “I waive all my rights… I want to go to the Philippines.”

O’Malley told the court the U.S. government was prepared to prove that on or about Jan. 20, 2026, Maramba, a Philippine citizen without lawful immigration status, knowingly possessed a false I-551 permanent resident card and intended to use it to travel from Saipan to Hawaii by presenting it to U.S. officials as proof of lawful status.

The government was prepared to call airport witnesses, introduce her statements, and present documentary evidence establishing that the green card was fraudulent.

Maramba acknowledged that her guilty plea makes removal or deportation from the United States virtually certain and agreed to plead guilty despite that consequence. Although she is out on bail in the criminal case, she remains in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security due to immigration issues.

Under the agreement, the United States will recommend a sentence of time served pursuant to Rule 11(c)(1)(B), recommend a fine at the low end of the guideline range, decline forfeiture of seized property, and agree not to file additional charges based on known conduct unless she breaches the agreement.

The parties stipulated to a base offense level of 6 under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, increased to level 12 due to possession or use of an authentication feature. She is eligible for a two-level reduction as a zero-point offender and a potential additional two-level reduction for acceptance of responsibility. Final sentencing remains within the court’s discretion.

Maramba waived her right to trial and most appeal rights, except for claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. She also waived certain evidentiary protections regarding statements made during plea discussions if she withdraws or breaches the agreement. The amended plea agreement was signed Feb. 13, 2026.

After going through the elements of the offense and confirming there was an independent factual basis, Manglona asked for her plea.

“Guilty!”

Manglona then ruled that the plea was knowing and voluntary and formally accepted it. The court ordered an expedited pre-sentence investigation report to be filed within two weeks. Sentencing is scheduled for March 4 at 1:30pm. The amended plea agreement was unsealed, and the jury trial previously set for Feb. 21 was vacated.