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Man in custody after being charged with rape

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ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 22-year-old man is in custody, charged with raping a 15-year-old girl who lives near his house.

Anetele’a Siaki, who entered American Samoa on a 30-day permit last October, was arrested last week pursuant to an arrest warrant from the court, which contained the charges and affidavit of support against him.

Siaki appeared in court last Friday where Judge Fiti Sunia established bond at $35,000.

He is represented by Assistant Public Defender Anna Wells, while prosecuting the case is Assistant Attorney General Christy Dunn.

Siaki is facing 2 counts of rape and 2 counts of sodomy — class B felonies — punishable by 5-15 years; 2 counts of first degree sexual abuse, a class C felony that carries a punishment of up to 7 years in jail and a $5,000 fine, or both; and 2 counts of endangering the welfare of a child — a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year behind bars and a fine of $1,000 or both.

THE CASE

The 15-year old high school victim is alleged to have told police that the defendant gave her money in exchange for sex, and this started early last month inside the defendant's bedroom.

The victim alleges she had sexual intercourse with the defendant twice last month. The defendant also touched her private parts in a sexual manner.

When questioned by police, Siaki admitted that he had sex with the victim twice inside his room last month, but denied giving her any money for sex. He told police their sexual relationship was consensual.