AUTE DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY TO A MISDEMEANOR

Ah Kiong Talamoa also known as Ationo, who was facing several felony charges has entered into a plea agreement with the government and settled for a misdemeanor guilty plea. The defendant was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, unlawful possession of controlled substance, marijuana and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon.

Talamoa pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon, and in return for his guilty plea the government moved for the court to dismiss the remaining drug charges.

Talamoa was arrested along with his sister, owner of the Aute Bar, Tumuatutasi Lefataia, also known as “Mama”, after police executed warrants to search both residences occupied by the defendants last year. They were charged separately.

Sentencing on this case has been scheduled for next month with an order for a pre-sentence report from the probation officers.

Court filings say that police searched Talamoa’s house and allegedly found ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and a pellet gun with pellets. A bag containing marijuana joints and a baggie of marijuana leaves, with three medium-sized cut up straws was found several feet from the defendant’s house.

Talamoa, who was not in the house, at the time of police search, was seen by police officers exiting another house on the property, which was duly searched, and police found in plain view, a nine millimeter pistol loaded with live ammunition, medium size baggies containing “ice”, $1,107 in cash, a gun holster, a box of straws and other drug paraphernalia. According to the government’s case, police spoke to Talamoa who admitted to having the marijuana joints, however he denied owning the guns and the ice.

TUMASAGA TO ENTER GUITLY PLEA IN DRUG CASE

Tuamasaga Malaga also known as Aries who is behind bars with bail set at $20,000 was charged in connection with methamphetamine found in his possession. He’s facing charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of a prohibited weapon.

According to the government’s case, police executed a search warrant for the defendant and his vehicle. He was informed of the search warrant and when he exited the vehicle he immediately removed his right hand form his pocket and was holding a medicine bottle and he stated that is all he had and there was nothing at his house. The medicine bottle contained a zip lock bag containing crystalline substance, which later tested positive for methamphetamine.

The defendant is alleged to have informed the police that he’s not a drug dealer and he got the meth from his friend, so he can sell it to pay his bills. Another search was conducted on the rental vehicle and police did not find any illegal drugs, however they came across a gun cleaning kit and live ammunition for a handgun.

The drug charge is a felony, which is punishable from five to 15 years, a fine between $5,000 or $20,000 or both while the weapons charge is a misdemeanor. After originally entering a not guilty plea, a change of plea hearing is scheduled this week