DOE EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH STEALING & EMBEZZLEMENT

An employee with the Department of Education Selapi Tuiteleleapaga has been accused of stealing a payroll check from Lupelele Elementary School. The defendant was arraigned in the High Court last week facing charges of stealing and embezzlement, and each count carries a jail term of up to seven years in jail, fine of up to $20,000 or both.

According to the government’s case, the DOE Director reached out to the Attorney General’s office regarding a stolen payroll check and AG Office Investigator, Faua’a Feru Elisara was assigned to investigate this matter.

Court filings say that on Nov. 10, 2014 the investigator was informed the stolen check was issued to a DOE employee at Lupelele Elementary School on September 22, 2014 in the amount of $1,131.97.

It’s alleged the defendant, who’s the Lupelele School secretary, picked up the payroll checks for their school along with the school’s vice principal.

Court filings say that on the same day, the vice principal left the office briefly and asked Tuiteleleapaga to verify if all staff checks were there.

According to the government’s case, when the Vice Principal returned and checked the checks herself she realized that victim’s check was missing from the folder and the check did not turn up the following week. It’s alleged that on Sept. 29, 2014 a request was made for Treasury to place a stop payment order on the said check however it was too late, as the defendant had already cashed the check.

According to court filings, the check was cashed at a store in Ili’ili with the defendant’s name on it. On Oct. 10, 2014, defendant apologized in a letter to the DOE Director, where she admitted that she cashed the check by endorsing it in her name and cashing it.

The investigator interviewed the defendant at the AG’s office and Tuiteleleapaga admitted taking the payroll check at the DOE headquarters and hiding it during the distribution of staff checks. She further admitted that she signed the check using her own name.

She told the investigator that she bought over $200 worth of food at the store for her cousin to take back to New Zealand and then gave her $400 in cash and she kept the rest for herself. Tuiteleleapaga was arraigned in the High Court this week where she pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against her. The defendant’s pre-trial conference is now scheduled for next month before Chief Justice Michael Kruse.

FELONY CHARGES AGAINST JERMAINE MAYBIR DISMISSED

Associate Justice John L. Ward has granted the government’s request to dismiss the three criminal charge against Jermaine Maybir. The defendant was facing charges of statutory rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse first degree.

The prosecutor informed the court that the government and the defendant are ready to announce a plea agreement they have reached and in return the government will move for the court to dismiss the felony charge. The defendant will enter a guilty plea with the misdemeanor charges pending in the District Court.

The request for dismissal of the 3 charges was granted. According to the government’s case, on Apr. 21, 2014 the police received a report that a 13-year-old girl refused to come home to her family. It’s alleged that the police made contact with the victim’s mother and then police spoke to the victim who stated that she was having a relationship with the defendant.

Samoa News first reported on this case Aug. 29, 2014.

APRIL PERIC DENIES THE DRUG CHARGES AGAINST HER IN HIGH COURT

A 24 year old woman who was allegedly found with a glass pipe used to smoke “ice” or methamphetamine hidden in the crotch of her pants, was arraigned in the High Court this week, after her case was bound over from District Court. April Peric, a mother of two is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine and unlawful possession of controlled substance of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

The 24-year-old girl is being held behind bars on $50,000 bail. If convicted on both charges Peric is looking at 25 years in jail, a fine of up to $20,000 or both.

During the preliminary examination in this matter last week, Captain of the Vice and Narcotics Division, Muagututi’a John Cendrowski testified before the court that a straw containing methamphetamine was found in Peric’s possession. He also informed the court that aside from the illegal substance found on defendant, they also confiscated drugs paraphernalia, such as cut up straws commonly use to store ice for sale.

Peric’s Attorney, Public Defender Douglas Fiaui argued with the court that given the quantity of the alleged drugs found on Peric, it would be for personal use, not for sale. He also argued that the vehicle stop that led to the discovery of drugs was not legal as the Police Officers had no probable cause.

Acting Associate Justice Elvis Pila Patea found that the government had probable cause to proceed with this case to the High Court and bound over this matter.

According to the government’s case, there was a traffic stop of a Nissan Sedan for operating an illegal spotlight (headlight) at the Lepuapua Leone highway and the driver did not provide a driver’s license or any other identification. Police then impounded the vehicle.

It is during an inventory search of the vehicle that police detectives discovered the alleged drugs and drug paraphernalia items, as well as $341 in cash.

The defendant, Peric who was present during the inventory search, also consented to a body search say court filings, whereby police discovered two glass pipes. According to the government’s case, one of the glass pipes found on Peric tested positive for methamphetamine or ice.

Samoa News first reported on the case Jan. 6, 2015.