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Alcohol involved — a familiar refrain in multiple offenses that land in court

COURT REPORT
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A young man with two pending cases is back in court again.

Tie Lomon made his initial appearance in District Court last week. He is charged with third degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child, trespassing, and criminal contempt.

According to the government's case, it was last Friday, Jan. 11 that police received a call for assistance in Laulii. The mother of the alleged 15-year-old victim claims that her daughter started screaming when she saw Lomon looking at her through a window.

The victim was "scared" and "alarmed" and when she started to scream, Lomon allegedly ran away. The victim's family members were able to capture Lomon and hold him until police arrived.

According to the criminal complaint, police noted a strong odor of alcohol emitting from Lomon's breath and his speech was slurred.

Judge Fiti Sunia reminded defense attorney, Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson that his client has two pending matters, and his next court appearance was set for Wednesday, Jan. 16

Bail for this new case is set at $500 and if he is released, Lomon is ordered to comply with standard conditions already set forth by the court. In addition, he is to remain alcohol and drug free, and he is subjected to random drug testing. He is also ordered not to make any direct or indirect contact with the victim in this case.

LOLESIO TOMINIKO

A man who is alleged to have hit his 13-year-old son on the head with a metal flask has been ordered to find somewhere else to stay until his case is resolved.

Lolesio Tominiko appeared in District Court last week for his initial appearance. He is charged with private peace disturbance and third degree assault.

Judge Sunia ordered him to be released on his own recognizance, and his case is transferred to the Family, Drug and Alcohol (FDA) court where his pretrial conference is scheduled for Feb. 11.

According to the government's case, it was Friday, Jan. 11 that police received a call for assistance from Mesepa.

Tominiko is alleged to have been drunk and disorderly, verbally threatening his wife and shouting profanities at her.

Tominiko's wife headed to the ASCC security office to wait for police and on her way there, her son ran to her, claiming that his dad hit him on the head with a "silver metal flask”.

The boy was treated by EMS workers and released.

When cops went to the defendant's home to look for him, they found Tominiko sleeping in the front of his house. Police say they detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the defendant and he barely made it into the police unit, as he was "swaying" side to side.

Judge Sunia has ordered Tominiko not to make any direct or indirect contact with his wife and children, and he is to remain drug and alcohol free. He is also subjected to random testing.