Fang Ye, a convicted killer sentenced last year for manslaughter, will not need to serve the remainder of his sentence in Palau following a commutation by the president’s office.
Last year, Fang was extradited to the U.S. to face federal charges of conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. He is accused of conspiring to smuggle methamphetamine hidden in lava lamps from California to Saipan for distribution.
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed to Island Times that Fang’s sentence has been commuted, stating that with this commutation, “he will not have to return to Palau” to serve the rest of his term.
The Attorney General’s office also noted that Fang’s name has been added to Palau’s list of undesirable aliens, which means undesirable aliens are barred from traveling or entering the country.
Fang was one of four Chinese nationals convicted of manslaughter in the December 2023 murder of 37-year-old Li Peng, a Chinese citizen.
Peng’s burned remains were found in Ewall, an area between Melekeok and Ngchesar.
Fang accepted a plea deal, pleading no contest to a reduced charge of manslaughter, resulting in the dismissal of the first-degree murder charges against him.
He was serving an 18-month sentence before being deported back to the US. (By: Bernadette Carreon)