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Court Report

INMATES UNDERGO SURPRISE DRUG TEST

The Vice and Narcotics division with the Department of Public Safety conducted a surprise drug test on all inmates and detainees at the Tafuna Correctional Facility yesterday morning.

Police officers and detectives conducted the test, and police told Samoa News that two inmates who are currently serving time tested positive.

A report on the test results will be handed to the probation office and the Attorney General’s office.

Two months ago, Chief Probation Officer Silivelio Iosefo testified in court that illegal drugs such as marijuana, methamphetamine and even homemade brew exist at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF).

The Chief Probation Officer was asking the court to release two inmates under the probation office’s supervision at the time. He added that the probation office conducted two to three drug tests of certain inmates in the TCF, and he was fairly surprised to find that a majority of those inmates tested positive with either marijuana or methamphetamine.

He added that there was also an indication that two inmates tested positive for the presence of the oxycodone drug, which is also considered a controlled substance in the territory.

Oxycodone is a pain killer which can be prescribed by a duly licensed physician and inmates were able to procure a prescription from the hospital for back pain.

Calls to Warden Lumana’i Maifea and Acting Commissioner Leiseau Laumoli were unsuccessful as of press time.

ALOMA SIATAGA ENTERS GUILT PLEA

A 38-year old woman accused of assaulting a police officer was fined and placed on six months probation.

Aloma Siataga of Pago Pago was facing resisting arrest, third degree assault and public peace disturbance charges. She pled guilty to the resisting charge, while the government moved to dismiss the remaining charges.

District Court Judge John Ward placed Siataga on six months probation and ordered her to pay a fine of $50 and undergo counseling at the Veterans Association.

According to the court filings the defendant was pulled over by a police officer during a routine patrol for non-display. The government claims that Officer Mann told the defendant the license plate for her vehicle was facing inwards.

It’s alleged the officer asked the defendant for her driver’s license and while the officer was about to write the traffic citations, the defendant allegedly swore at the officer, according to court filings.

Court filings say when the officer told the defendant she would be placed under arrest for disturbing the public peace and to step outside the vehicle, the defendant refused and turned on the vehicle ignition. The officer then contacted the Central Police station for assistance.

Shortly two detectives arrived at the scene and asked the defendant to grt out of her vehicle, however she refused again and continued to swear profanities at the officers. Court filings state the officers then pulled the defendant out from her vehicle, handcuffed her and placed her in the police car.

Court filings state that while on the way to the Central Police station, the defendant kicked the officer in the head three times, and as a result he pulled over and again contacted the Police station for assistance.  

RAPE CASE

Of the two men charged with having sex with a 16-year old girl who is now pregnant, the 22-year old defendant will be arraigned in the High Court today while the girl’s uncle, who’s also her family matai and family sponsor, is scheduled to have his preliminary examination hearing next Thursday.

The uncle and the 22-year old defendant are facing statutory rape, sexual abuse first degree and endangering the welfare of a child.

According to the government’s case, this came to light when a relative of the victim filed a complaint with CID that the young girl was pregnant.

The uncle is still in custody of police with bail set at $35,000. He is being represented by Sharron Rancourt.

The 22-year old defendant is out on bail of $25,000 and is represented by Assistant Public Defender Donna Clement.

The court filing also noted that the uncle, who’s a former teacher, was convicted of a sexual assault case back in September 1997.