FEMALE DRUG DEFENDANT ASKS FOR BAIL REDUCTION 

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, is expected to appear in court for her pretrial conference where April Peric, who remains behind bars, will ask the court for a reduction of bail. Peric, a mother of two is charged with two drug offenses, unlawful possession of the controlled substance of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of the controlled substance of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. 

She is being held behind bars on a $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.

The government’s case claims, 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, then police impounded the vehicle. 

During the inventory search of the vehicle detectives discovered a package above the passenger-side visor wrapped in a clear material, and the contents appeared to be crystalline substance. In the trunk of the vehicle was a blue plastic container with numerous items such as glass pipes, a regular smoking glass pipe, fluid lighters and small cut up straws (commonly used for packaging of illegal drugs for sale). Located inside the armlet of the vehicle was $341 in cash.

The defendant, Peric was present during the inventory search and court filings say she consented to a search and police discovered two glass pipes, one of which was found broken in the waistband of her pants in the stomach area, the other glass pipe was concealed in the crotch of her pants. A fluid lighter was concealed under her clothing. According to the government’s case, the glass pipe that was found on Peric tested positive for methamphetamine or ice. 

ALJ TO CONDUCT PROCEEDINGS AT HIGH COURT 

Chief Justice Michael Kruse has approved the Administrative Law Judge Toetagata Albert Mailo to conduct proceedings at the High Court on Thursday February 12, 2015 and the proceedings should be commencing around 10am.

The ALJ has jurisdiction to conduct hearings and issue decisions, with regards to claims for workmen's compensation, controversies, grievances and administrative appeals by government employees on matters pertaining to employment, including matters pertaining to hiring, termination, suspension and discipline.

Also appeals to decisions of the Immigration Board in all matters except decisions with respect to deportation of aliens are the jurisdiction of the ALJ. Further the ALJ holds hearings on all disputes and controversies pertaining to claims for unpaid or improperly paid wages and hours; appeals filed by applicants and notaries public pursuant to the Notary Act of 2007; appeals of procurement officer's final decision in a procurement bidding dispute; or any other contested case, grievance or controversy that agencies, offices and departments of the government may refer to the ALJ for disposition providing that the ALJ has jurisdiction over the matter.

Further all appeals from administrative rulings or decisions of any administrative agency, except those matters specifically exempted herein or by statute, of a department, office, agency, commission, board or committee of the Executive branch or the American Samoa Government, shall first be made to the Office of Administrative Law Judge. 

Decisions of the ALJ may be appealed to the Appellate Division of the High Court of American Samoa and in cases involving the administrative suspension of driver’s licenses.