Former DOC officer pleads guilty to sexual contact with inmate

06/04/2025—A former corrections officer at the CNMI Department of Corrections has pleaded guilty in federal court to engaging in sexual contact with an inmate under her custodial care.

Aesha Debrum Sablan, 33, entered her guilty plea before Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona at the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands on June 3, 2025. The plea hearing also served as her arraignment and initial appearance. Representing the government was assistant U.S. attorney Garth Backe, while Sablan was represented by defense counsel Richard Miller.

When asked by Manglona to explain the offense in her own words, Sablan admitted, “I had a sexual relationship with J.F.,” referring to the prisoner. She confirmed that the incident occurred while she was employed as a corrections officer and while the inmate was in CNMI custody.

The government charged Sablan with engaging in sexual contact with a person in official detention, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(4). The offense carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, plus one year of supervised release and a $100 special assessment fee. Under the plea agreement, Sablan waived her right to indictment by a grand jury.

Following the hearing, the court issued an order setting conditions for Sablan’s release pending sentencing. She was ordered not to violate any laws, to cooperate in providing a DNA sample, and to notify the court or her supervising officer of any change in residence or phone number. 

She is also required to appear in court as directed and, if convicted, surrender to serve the sentence imposed. Sentencing has been scheduled for 9am on Oct. 10, 2025.

Manglona also allowed Sablan to have continued phone contact with “J.F.” as many times. During the investigation, “J.F.” was asked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation if he was a victim, but he answered in the negative, saying it was a consensual relationship.

According to court records, the offense occurred between an unknown date in 2022 and on or about Feb. 7, 2024, at a corrections facility operated under contract with a federal agency. The inmate, referred to as “J.F.” in court filings, was under Sablan’s custodial, supervisory, and disciplinary authority at the time.

Before Sablan’s court date, DOC Commissioner Anthony Torres issued a statement confirming that once the allegations came to light, he directed the department’s Special Investigative Services to conduct a full investigation in partnership with the FBI. 

Torres said Sablan resigned in lieu of termination while under internal investigation for a separate matter involving the assault of another correctional officer in February 2024. She was reportedly unaware that she was also under investigation for inappropriate contact with an inmate.

Torres emphasized that DOC has “zero tolerance” for unethical or unlawful behavior by staff and that resigning from employment will not shield anyone from prosecution.

 He reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of all individuals in custody and thanked the FBI for its support.

“We remain committed to holding staff accountable and ensuring that our standards are upheld across all our facilities,” Torres stated. “Our focus remains on fostering a safe, respectful environment and maintaining the public’s trust.”

Story by Mark Rabago