Torres: CNMI to fully implement Criminal Justice Information System

06/20/2025 - CNMI Department of Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres issued the following statement in response to Marianas Press' inquiry:

"Back in April 2024, I was appointed by the Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) Supervisory Council to be the Chairperson of the CNMI Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Subcommittee.

The CNMI is in the process of fully implementing its Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). Once fully operational, connecting the CNMI's CJIS network to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) would provide substantial benefits to law enforcement and public safety within our Commonwealth.

This crucial connection would serve as a vital lifeline, enabling law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Corrections and Department of Public Safety, to access a vast and continuously updated database of criminal justice information from across the United States. This includes critical data on wanted persons, missing persons, stolen property (vehicles, firearms, articles), criminal history records via the Interstate Identification Index (III), and information related to protection orders, sex offenders, and gang/terrorist organizations.

By integrating with NCIC, CNMI law enforcement agencies would gain real-time access to information essential for effective crime prevention, investigation, and apprehension.

This immediate access would enhance law enforcement officer safety by providing crucial background on individuals encountered in the field, improve the ability to track and recover stolen assets, and significantly aid in locating missing individuals. Furthermore, it would streamline processes such as background checks for employment and licensing, ensuring more comprehensive vetting.

Ultimately, connecting the CNMI's CJIS to the FBI's NCIC would empower our law enforcement agencies with a more complete picture of criminal activity, both locally and nationally, fostering greater interagency cooperation, and significantly strengthening the safety and security of our Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Our current progress and primary goal has been to connect the three core agencies: the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Judiciary, and the Department of Corrections (DOC). Once this is achieved, we plan to integrate with the FBI's NCIC.

Even if our full CJIS were operational now, individuals attempting to avoid prosecution for crimes committed in the mainland would first encounter U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon entering the CNMI at the airport.

We will be sending an invitation to U.S. Congresswoman King-Hinds to attend any of our upcoming CJIS Meetings to give her a status update on our progress, thus far. We look forward to her support in driving our mission forward.

Last year, Charles Lee Dewey was arrested in Saipan after it became known that he had fled Indiana, where he was facing six warrants for serious charges, including rape and sexual misconduct with a minor. Our law enforcement acted quickly ensuring he was taken into custody.

Hearing about this case deeply impacted me and motivated me to dedicate myself to strengthening our criminal justice system here in the CNMI. This commitment is why I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this collateral duty as Chairperson of the CNMI CJIS Subcommittee, where we can work towards making our community safer."