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Third DPS- Juvie officer charged with 35 counts of illegal activities

Okesene Alo, who remains in custody under a $200,000 bond. [SN file photo]
Includes 10 counts of rape involving a minor of 16 yrs. or younger
fili@samoanews.com

The third of the four Public Safety officers accused of illegal activities and misconduct at the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), is facing 35 counts including several charges of alleged rape involving a minor juvenile detainee as well as several charges in connection with illegal drugs, according to charging documents.

Okesene Alo, who remains in custody under a $200,000 bond, appeared in District Court last Friday afternoon for his preliminary examination hearing, but it was continued to later this week, based on a request from his defense attorney, Sharron Rancourt.

Responding to District Court Judge Fiti A. Sunia’s question, assistant attorney general Jedediah Bigelow said the government would again call one witness for Alo’s preliminary examination hearing.

However, “this one will take a little bit longer,” he said referring to the preliminary examination hearing but didn’t elaborate further.

During last week’s separate preliminary examination hearings for two other accused officers, Alofagia Letuli and Olafau Wilson, the government called only one witness, police Det. Filemoni Amituana’i, who investigated allegations of misconduct at JDC.

ALO’S CHARGES

During Alo’s initial appearance hearing two weeks ago, it was mentioned in open court that he faces “serious charges”.

According to charging documents, Alo is faced with a total of 35 counts in connection with alleged illegal activities he was involved in at the JDC between April and November of last year.

Of the total counts, 28 of them are felonies including 10 counts of rape involving a minor of 16 years old or younger; 4 counts of unlawful possession of methamphetamine; 4 counts of unlawful distribution of methamphetamine; three counts of aiding the escape of a prisoner; and three counts of permitting the escape of a prisoner.

He also faces 7 misdemeanor charges, including one count of stealing and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

In the Nov. 14, 2016 ‘Drug Incidents in Juvenile Detention Center by On-Duty Officers’ report, prepared by the JDC supervisor and submitted to then Police Commissioner Save Liuato Tuitele, there are many allegations pointing fingers at Alo and the role he played with drug use by the four charged officers as well as certain juvenile detainees at JDC. (See Samoa News edition Apr. 3.)

ARRAIGNMENT HEARING

Meanwhile, Letuli and Wilson were arraigned in High Court last Friday morning and both officers, through their attorney, entered not guilty pleas. As of last week Thursday, both defendants are represented by the Public Defender’s Office.

The government’s cases against Letuli and Wilson were bound over from District Court late last week and the charges against the defendants stem from a police investigation into alleged illegal activities and misconduct at the JDC.

Letuli is faced with nine felony charges, including three counts involving crystal methamphetamine. She remains in custody unable to post a $60,000 bail.

For Wilson, who is also unable to post bail set at $75,000, is facing 15 counts, including 12 felonies — four of them involve crystal methamphetamine.

Both defendants have their pre trial conference hearings set for June, while trials have been set by court for September 2018. (See Samoa News editions Apr. 6 and 7 for details.)