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High Court issues arrest warrants for two

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Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man was arrested this week for failure to comply with conditions of his 5-year probation.

Nick Motu made his initial appearance in High Court yesterday . He was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon, pursuant to an arrest warrant from the High Court.

Court records show that Motu failed to visit the Probation Office last month. He was then contacted last week to come in for his monthly visit, pursuant to the court’s order. During that time, a drug test was administered and Motu tested positive for marijuana.

He allegedly told the Probation Office that he and his friends celebrated Flag Day by smoking weed at his friend’s place.

Motu’s preliminary hearing is set for May 2nd. For now, he’s remanded back to custody.

FILIGA ALAPATI

Associate Justice Fiti Sunia has issued a bench warrant for Filiga Alapati after he failed to appear in High Court yesterday for an Order to Show Cause (OSC) hearing.

When Alapati’s case was called, defense attorney, Public Defender Michael White told the court that he’s been trying to contact his client but he is nowhere to be found.

Prosecutor Laura Garvey said Alapati appeared in District Court last week and that's the last time she saw him.

For failing to appear in court yesterday, Sunia has issued a bench warrant - without bond - for Filiga, who is on probation for 5 years, for an unlawful possession conviction.

As a condition of probation, Alapati was ordered to visit Probation every month, and to submit to random testing. He was also ordered to pay a $100 fine and seek gainful employment.

In February of this year, Alapati was arrested for failure to comply with conditions of probation. Not only did he not visit Probation, he also tested positive for marijuana and methamphetamine.

Two weeks ago, Alapati was scheduled to appear in High Court for a Disposition Hearing; however, he was not present and that's when the OSC was issued.