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Accused child rapist
argues for another
bail reduction

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By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

Circuit Judge Reynaldo Graulty has reduced bail to $100,000 cash from $250,000 for a Kapolei man accused of sexually assaulting his wife's 13-year-old cousin over a four-month period.

But attorney Brook Hart, who represents Victor Flores, said he doesn't think his client has the resources to raise that kind of money.

Flores has been incarcerated, unable to post $250,000 cash bail, since he and his wife, Celeste, were arrested Feb. 1.

Graulty had denied Flores' earlier request for supervised release pending his trial in mid-April.

The judge a week ago ruled that Flores' strong ties to the Northern Marianas and the seriousness of the charges against him make him a flight risk.

While the court was still concerned about Flores' potential to flee, "there's no apparent reason why this fellow's risk is greater than anyone else's," Hart said.

Hart argued yesterday that Guam and the Commonwealth of Micronesia, where Flores has contacts, have the legal means and resources to extradite a fugitive if needed.

Deputy Prosecutor Dean Young had opposed the bail reduction, arguing that another judge had reviewed the charges and determined that $250,000 cash-only bail was appropriate.

Flores and his wife, Celeste, are accused of sexually assaulting the girl, a relative from Guam. Police arrested the couple after the 13-year-old reported to school officials she had been sexually assaulted by him and was now pregnant.

The state is expected to ask Flores to provide a blood sample to determine the baby's paternity.

Celeste Flores, who just gave birth to a baby girl more than two weeks ago, is on supervised release and is staying with a niece.

Her infant and the couple's three other children have been placed with relatives.