By Eric Rosario
John Richard Bass, the man arrested today in connection with the murder of Virginia Laguana, was previously arrested for assaulting a police officer.
On November 26, 2017, according to a magistrates report, police officers responded to a hit and run along Fujita Road in Tumon.
"Officers received information that the operator of a black Toyota Corolla had fled 'on foot towards the beach,'" the charging document from 2017 states.
The driver of the car that was hit gave police a description of Bass, and police found him on the beach. According to the report, Bass admitted to operating the Corolla, drinking beer, then driving to Fujita Beach. He became upset and shouted, "FUCK! ... Man I can't have this on my record." After being placed in restraints Bass lunged at a police officer "and headbutted his chest." The police officer stated that "a struggle ensued and [Bass] pushed him to the ground."
"It was resolved through a plea agreement," said Carlina Charfauros, spokeswoman for the Office of the Attorney General, regarding what happened to the assault charge. "He met all conditions of his plea and the case was closed April of this year."
Ms. Charfauros said her office will look further into the matter and provide the plea agreement if it is publicly disclosable.
