SAIPAN — Former CNMI Department of Public Safety officer Earl Borja was arrested Friday afternoon in the case tied to the alleged December 19, 2025 assault of a 28-year-old man, following weeks of criminal and administrative review involving DPS and the Office of the Attorney General.
DPS Public Information Officer Fred Sato said Sunday that Borja, a former police officer, was arrested on February 20, 2026, at 4:41 p.m.
Sato listed the charges as assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and misconduct in public office, and said bail was set at $20,000.
The arrest follows a December 30, 2025 press conference in which DPS Commissioner Anthony I. Macaranas announced that DPS was investigating an alleged assault involving two police officers and that charges were expected “in the coming days.”
At that press conference, Macaranas said the victim’s father reported the alleged assault on December 22, 2025 and that the alleged incident occurred on December 19. He also said DPS requested support from the CNMI Attorney General’s Investigation Division to help ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
Macaranas said both officers were immediately placed on administrative duty after the report was filed, including being disarmed and removed from street patrol pending the outcome of the case.
On January 13, Macaranas said the case involving the two officers had been referred to the Attorney General’s Office, Investigation Division, for review, while DPS’ Professional Responsibility Office continued its administrative investigation.
DPS later confirmed that Borja was one of the two officers under investigation and said he resigned effective January 20, 2026. DPS also said at that time that the case remained active despite the resignation, with criminal and administrative investigations continuing.
As of Sunday, DPS had not released additional details beyond the arrest time, listed charges, and bail amount. NMI News Service expects to seek more information from the Attorney General’s Investigations Division.
