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Court Report

MAN ALLEGEDLY CAUGHT WITH FOUR JOINTS OF MARIJUANA

Reupena Siaulaiga is facing one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance of marijuana, a felony  punishable between five and ten years in jail and/or a fine between $5,000 and $20,000.

The criminal count against the defendant was filed after police allegedly caught him with four marijuana joints. The defendant, who’s held on bail of $20,000 made his initial appearance in the District Court yesterday.

According to the government’s case, police officers working with the underage drinking law enforcement on New Year’s Day, responded to a call regarding juveniles drinking near MJ Store. It’s alleged that upon arrival at the scene four males were drinking beer and Reupena was one of them.

Court filing say police officers witnessed Reupena discarding something from his pockets into the bushes nearby, a plastic bag allegedly containing four hand rolled marijuana joints. Police seized the plastic bag, and the joints tested positive as marijuana.

According to the government’s case, police questioned the defendant who gave a written statement, telling police that he received the plastic baggy from his friend who was leaving the territory.

Reupena told police that he had the baggy on him when police showed up and while he was trying to put the baggy into his pocket it fell to the ground which is when police officers saw the baggy.

MALAEOLA FOLASA ENTERS GUILTY PLEA

Malaeola Folasa Jr has entered into a plea agreement with the government, after he attempted to blow up the Morris Scanlan Gas Station in September of last year. Folasa was initially charged with two criminal counts, attempted arson and public peace disturbance. However, in the plea agreement which was accepted by Chief Justice Michael Kruse, the defendant pled guilty to attempted arson while the remaining count was dismissed. 

According to the government’s case, police were called to the gas station for assistance on Sept. 27, 2012, regarding some drunken men who were causing a disturbance. It's alleged that the men claimed they were upset that the gas station was not respecting the village curfew.

The government claims that the defendant was one of the men who was reportedly trying to blow up the gas station. The gas station provided police with a surveillance video where the defendant was seen repeatedly grabbing fuel pumps, and holding up a lighter with an open flame just a few inches from the fuel pump.

Sentencing for the defendant is now scheduled for February 8, 2012. The defendant is represented by Assistant Public Defender Mike White while prosecuting this matter is Assistant Attorney General Kimberly Hyde.

MAN CHARGED ON ALLEGATIONS OF THREATENING SON WITH KNIFE AND STRANGLING HIM

A father has been placed on bail of $500 and is facing criminal charges of public peace disturbance, third degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. The defendant made his initial appearance in the District Court yesterday and Samoa News is withholding the defendant’s name to protect the identity of the victim in this matter.

According to the government’s case, the police were called for assistance and upon arriving at the scene, the defendant’s wife told police this was not the first time the defendant had done this while intoxicated.

Court filings say the victim was scared and shocked and he told the police that his father asked him to cut the grass, however he didn’t do what he was told to do. Court filings say that when the defendant arrived home and saw that his son had not cut the grass, he got upset and grabbed a fork, however he put the fork down and grabbed a knife.  He then allegedly walked towards the victim and his brother, threatening to stab the victim.

It’s alleged the father then threw the wife down, and allegedly grabbed the victim by his throat. The victim then left the house to get away from his father. The victim suffered two deep scratches on his neck. The government notes that they are looking into this case to determine if additional charges should be filed in this matter.

MAN BEATS WIFE  FOR CATCHING HIM IN BIZZARE ACT

A man is held on bail of $300 on allegations that he assaulted his wife. The man made his initial appearance in the District Court yesterday and is a facing public peace disturbance charge, however the government is looking into this case to determine if additional charges should be filed. Samoa News is withholding the name of the defendant to protect the identity of the victim.

According to the government’s case, the victim told the police that her husband came home drunk and continued drinking beer in the house. It’s alleged that the victim caught her husband in his aunt’s bedroom allegedly sniffing his aunt’s undergarments.

Court filing says when the victim confronted her husband regarding what she saw, the defendant got upset and beat her. The victim ran to the defendant’s aunt seeking help and ended up telling the aunt what her husband did, further infuriating the defendant, who allegedly beat his wife again.

The defendant then left the house with his kids and the aunt contacted police for assistance. The defendant is represented by Assistant Public Defender Karen Shelley while prosecuting is Assistant Attorney General Masaya Uchino.