Court Report

DPS OFFICER TO MAKE INITIAL APPEARANCE FOR PPD CHARGE
 
Public Safety Officer Vaughn Sagapolutele will make his initial appearance in the District Court on a criminal summons today to face misdemeanor charges.
 
The charges stem from a criminal investigation launched after allegations of Sagapolutele disturbing the public peace at his ex-wife’s house while on duty, and using a police vehicle to get to the scene. This was confirmed by Acting Police Commissioner Leiseau Laumoli.
 
According to the victim’s statement leaked to Samoa News about the incident, the officer was upset about an earlier exchange he had with his ex-wife via email. The officer, who is stationed at the Tafuna West Substation, got into the police vehicle and drove to Pago Pago with another police officer.
 
It’s alleged the officer, upon arriving at his ex-wife’s house was swearing, and this prompted the woman to contact the police station in Fagatogo for assistance. However, before police arrived at the scene, the officer took off in the police vehicle.
 
 SEX CASE SET FOR TRIAL
 
Following several requests for continuances in a sex case, Chief Justice Michael Kruse has set it for jury trial.
 
During the last pretrial conference for Kaio Levao, who allegedly touched a woman inappropriately, the government and defense asked for two continuances noting that plea negotiations in the case are ongoing.
 
Levao 45, is charged with sexual abuse first degree, third degree assault and public peace disturbance. Kruse informed the parties in this case, the matter is set for jury trial and if there are any new developments in this case, they can file a motion indicating that with the court .
 
The defendant, who is behind bars on bail of $10,000, is represented by Assistant Public Defender Leslie Cardin, while prosecuting is Deputy Attorney General Mitzie Jessop.
 
According to the government’s case a 19-year-old female filed a complaint of being sexually assaulted by Levao, when she went to return videos to a store in Fagatogo. 
 
According to the government’s case, Levao told police that he thought that because the victim had already given birth, it was okay for him to touch her inappropriately. He admitted to touching the victim in both incidents.
 
The jury trial has been scheduled on Jan. 14, 2014.
 
IEREMIA CAMERON SIGNS PLEA DEAL WITH ASG
 
A man, who allegedly walked into a store, opened the cash register and took off with over $1,000, is scheduled to have his plea agreement hearing today. Ieremia Cameron is charged with stealing and public peace disturbance.
 
Details of the plea have yet to be revealed, however it has been signed by all parties and will be announced today in open court.
 
According to the government’s case, the defendant was accompanied by another male who faces only misdemeanor charges. The store’s video footage shows the two defendants at the store counter buying a soda, but after they counted their coins several times, they told the cashier that they did not have enough. It's while the cashier was walking around the counter that Cameron pressed the cash register and grabbed the stack of $20 bills and took off.
 
ASSAULT CASE LANDS IN HIGH COURT
 
McClusky Fagata Jr., also known as Lasi, and his brother Joe Fa’agata, charged with second degree assault, a class D felony punishable up to five years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both, following a fight that occurred last week in Fagatogo, have denied the charges against them when they appeared in the High Court last Friday for arraignment.
 
The pair appeared before Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond, where they both entered a not guilty plea, and waived their rights to the reading of charges. The brothers are represented by the Public Defender’s office in this case.
 
Court filings say that on Feb. 25, 2013 a man rushed to the police station reporting a fight. Police responded to the call and when they chased the defendants, it's alleged Joe tackled one of the police officers. The victim told police they were eating at the boat house in Fagatogo when Lasi approached them and challenged them to a fight.
 
Court filings say, Lasi left and returned with his brother Joe, who then threw beer bottles at them and started punching them.
 
The second victim corroborates the statement of the first victim. The second victim sustained multiple abrasions on his leg, a two centimeter laceration and bruises on his face and a laceration on his finger.
 
Prosecuting this matter is Assistant Attorney General Kimberly Hyde.