Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The two men convicted of receiving stolen property from a Tafuna home were given light sentences last week. Atapana Ulisese and Matthew Pisopa were ordered to serve 20 months at the TCF, as a condition of their 5-year probation terms.

Both men have been in custody since their arrest, each unable to post a $15,000 bond.

Ulisese was initially charged with one count of receiving stolen property, a class C felony. But under a plea agreement, he pled guilty to the amended charge of conspiracy to receive stolen property from another person, a class D felony.

With his guilty plea, Ulisese admits that on July 18, 2018 he agreed to help Pisopa sell 2 laptops, a DVD player, DVDs, and a pair of black combat boots to his brother, knowing that the items were stolen from a Tafuna home, and the total value of the stolen items exceeded $100

Co-defendant Pisopa was initially charged with second degree burglary, stealing, receiving stolen property, and trespassing.

Under a plea bargain with the government, Pisopa pled guilty to receiving stolen property. The remaining charges were dismissed. Pisopa admits that on July 18, 2018 he took a DVD player, DVDs, and a pair of black combat boots to a person in Tafuna, knowing that the items were stolen.

Acting Public Defender Ryan Anderson represented Ulisese and Pisopa while Assistant Attorney General, Doug Lowe appeared on behalf of the government.

Charges against the pair stem from a break-in that occurred during mid-2018 when the victim (homeowner) was off island. Among the stolen property were 6 cases of pisupo, 20 cases of wahoo, a gold chain, DVD players, DVDs, 2 laptops, and clothing that included several men’s suits.

When given the chance to address the court, Ulisese apologized and begged for a second chance to return home to care for his family. He also apologized to his family, village, and church but did not apologize to the victim.

According to Ulisese, the 14 months he has spent in prison has taught him a good lesson, and he is truly remorseful and wants to go home to offer his life to God and serve his family.

Pisopa also apologized to the court, his family, and his parents. He, too, did not apologize to the victim. According to him, it was his carelessness and stupidity that pushed him to break the law, and it has cost him many months of his life. He said if given a second chance, he will never appear in court again.

Anderson asked the court to grant his clients another chance, saying Ulisese and Pispoa are both young and have a lot to learn in life. He asked for a probated sentence without any additional period of detention.

Lowe echoed the motion for a probated sentence, saying that despite being convicted of a felony, both defendants are good candidates for probation. Lowe asked the court to accept the apologies offered, and give Ulisese and Pisopa a second chance to rebuild their young lives.

In delivering its decision, the court noted that both defendants are first time offenders; they fully cooperated with the government during the investigation; and they are young and truly remorseful for what they did.

Reading from the Pre-Sentence Report, the court pointed out that the motivation behind the defendants’ actions was the intention to sell the stolen items so they can go out, and buy beer for themselves and their friends.

The court sentenced Ulisese and Pisopa each to 5 years probation, subject to certain conditions. They are to serve 20 months at the TCF; however, they only have to serve 16 months (the remaining 4 months is stayed, based on their compliance with conditions of probation). This means Ulisese and Pisopa will be released next month.

While on probation, the two are ordered to remain alcohol and drug free, and be law abiding, among other things.