Ads by Google Ads by Google

Court Report

MAN JAILED FOR TEN YEARS WITHOUT PAROLE IN SEX CASE

 

Faalogo Fiapito, who pled guilty to child molesting, was sentenced to ten years in jail without parole. The 49-year-old man was implicated in a sexually related case involving a seven-year old girl.

 

The defendant, who lives in Pavaia’i, was charged with one count of child molestation and endangering the welfare of a child.

 

In the plea deal the defendant pled guilty to the child molestation charge, which is a class A felony punishable by imprisonment for life, or from ten to thirty years in jail with a mandatory minimum prison term of ten years without probation or parole, while the remaining count, a misdemeanor, was dismissed as part of the deal.

 

During the plea hearing, the defendant admitted he saw the girl at her house and he grabbed her hand and pulled her to a nearby banana plantation where he laid the girl down and attempted to take off her clothes at the same time touching her in her private parts. During sentencing the defendant told the court that he fell into temptation by the devil while he was intoxicated.

 

Fa’apito apologized to the court, the government, the attorneys and everyone present for his actions that led him before the court. He also apologized to the minor and her family for what he did. Fa’apito said the ten months he spent in jail have taught him a huge lesson and he asked the court for leniency to allow him a second chance to return home and care for his father.

 

Samoa News points out the defendant had been charged and sentenced in a sex case several years ago.  Assistant Public Defender Joel Shiver told the court alcohol was a factor in this case and he did not recommend probation.

 

The prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Camille Philippe asked the court to sentence the defendant to ten years in jail. In less than five minutes, Chief Justice Michael Kruse and the associate judges convened for the sentence, giving Fa’apito ten years in jail without the possibility of parole.

 

The incident came to light on Jan. 20, 2013 when the victim’s father sought assistance from police.

 

PLEA DEAL OFFERED TO INMATE CAUGHT AT LOCAL NIGHT CLUB

 

An inmate who escaped from the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) and was caught partying with his girlfriend at the Bowling Alley Bar has accepted a plea offer from the government. Joseph Mamona is facing charges of escaping from confinement, Public Peace Disturbance and resisting arrest while his girlfriend, who was also arrested, has been charged with aiding and abetting.

 

The plea hearing is scheduled for today in Mamona’s case.

 

According to court filings, police officers were stationed outside of the Bowling Alley, when they were approached by the Bar’s security informing the police officers that an inmate was inside the club. After confirming with TCF of Mamona’s status, police went inside the club however Mamona had already left and police were told that he was hiding somewhere in the parking lot. Police then searched and found him inside one of the parked vehicles.