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Court accepts plea agreement in Nuuuli store burglary case

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ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AAMERICAN SAMOA — A young man who was accused along with one juvenile of breaking into an Asian store in Nuuuli and stealing cases of beer and cartons of cigarettes will be sentenced next month, following his guilty plea to felony stealing.

Matthew Isitolo was initially charged with three counts of first-degree burglary and three counts of stealing, all felonies. However, under a plea agreement with the government, accepted by the court — Isitolo pled guilty to one count of stealing. The remaining charges were dismissed.

With his guilty plea, the defendant admits that on Feb. 26, 2018, he and a male juvenile broke into an Asian store in Nuuuli and stole one case of beer, two cartons of cigarettes, and several canned food items for himself and his friends, who were throwing a party at his home.

The government is recommending a probated sentence and restitution.

Isitolo, who has been in custody since his arrest last year, unable to post a $5,000 surety bond, is scheduled to appear in court next month for sentencing.