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First he’s in, then he’s out, then he’s in again

Territorial Correctional Facility, TCF
COURT REPORT
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man who was placed on probation last Wednesday was remanded to custody the very next day, when he appeared before Judge Elvis P. Patea.

Lemasanimaleea Mapu made his initial appearance in District Court last Thursday, Feb. 28 for public peace disturbance. He entered a plea of "not guilty".

The day before however, on Wednesday, Feb. 27, Mapu was sentenced to 12-months probation — after pleading guilty to PPD — with Judge Patea noting that Mapu's record reflected other PPD charges in 2015 and 2016.

For Wednesday's case, Mapu was initially charged with two counts of third degree assault and public peace disturbance. Under a plea agreement with the government, Mapu pled guilty to PPD and the remaining charges were dismissed.

Despite recommendations from both counsels that Mapu be sentenced to 6 months probation, Judge Patea said Mapu needed to be placed "under longer supervision."

In addition to probation, Mapu was ordered to pay off a citation ($50) that was issued in 2017 and a fine of $150 within 60 days.

Judge Patea told Mapu to "Find a job and pay your fines."

The very next day, on Thursday, Mapu was again in court for PPD. This time, Judge Patea set bail at $500 and a status hearing is scheduled for this Friday, March 8.

If he is able to post bond before then, Mapu is to appear for a pretrial conference on April 10.

LAUOLEFISO "MANU" NAEA

A former cannery worker has been sentenced to jail time for trespassing and stealing.

Lauolefiso "Manu" Naea appeared in District Court last Thursday for three separate cases. Under a plea agreement with the government, Naea pled guilty to trespass and stealing in two of the cases. In return, the remaining case was dismissed in its entirety.

With his guilty plea, Naea admits that on Sept. 7, 2018, he was looking through the window of another person's home. Three days earlier, he admits he stole items that didn't belong to him.

Judge Elvis P. Patea sentenced Naea to 45 days in jail, and he is to be credited 23 days time served for the stealing charge. He is also fined $1,000 of which $900 is suspended, leaving him with a fine of $100 to be paid in 45 days.

For trespassing, Naea was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment, credited with 25 days time served. His fine of $500 is suspended.

The sentences are to run concurrently (at the same time), meaning Naea is to be released this Friday, March 8 at 7a.m.