Andres Sotelo the defendant's attorney the night before notified prosecutors of his decision to change his plea.

Opening arguments were scheduled to be made in the federal trial against Andres Sotelo yesterday morning, but the defendant's attorney the night before notified prosecutors of his decision to change his plea.

Sotelo, in a plea agreement, pled guilty to conspiracy to import and conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of "ice" -- charges that could result in a prison term of at least 10 years to life.

He is the second person linked to the drug ring to offer a guilty plea. Sophia Vivas San Agustin last month admitted to peddling ice for three years.

Gina Fresnoza Medina, her brother Henry Pangilinan Fresnoza and Rodean Villa also face similar drug charges in a separate case. Their trials are scheduled for next week.

Sotelo, San Agustin and Medina, who were arrested in May, are alleged to have imported more than 550 grams of ice from the Philippines to Guam dating back to 2004.

Only Medina was linked to both cases in that she had been in a relationship with Sotelo and Villa at separate times, according to court documents. She allegedly worked with Sotelo to smuggle and sell the drugs until they broke up. She later started a relationship with Villa and allegedly committed the same crimes, according to court documents.

"Medina is our main target so this (Sotelo's plea agreement) will be helpful," Assistant U.S. Attorney Karon Johnson told Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in the District Court of Guam yesterday.

Before the judge approved the plea agreement, Johnson explained how prosecutors would prove the charges against Sotelo before the jury.

Sotelo agreed with the evidence that Johnson presented, including how ice had been packaged and smuggled in a jockstrap and sold out of a Dededo home for years.

The judge agreed to release Sotelo to the custody of his sisters on several strict conditions, including having no contact with witnesses in the case.

Tydingco-Gatewood asked prosecutors whether people would possibly retaliate and go after Sotelo since he's agreed to testify. Johnson said the major players are "all locked up."