Ads by Google Ads by Google

Three men enter guilty pleas and all are awaiting sentencing in the new year.

Court Report logo
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused of using a machete to strike his nephew in the head has pled guilty to second-degree assault, a class D felony.

Petelo Amituana’i, who is still in custody unable to post a $10,000 surety bond, appeared in High Court last week for a change of plea hearing.

He was initially charged with second-degree assault, a felony, and 2 misdemeanor charges: third degree assault and public peace disturbance. But under a plea agreement with the government, Amituana’i pled guilty to second-degree assault.

With his guilty plea, Amituana’i, 45, admits that on or about Mar. 30, 2018 he caused severe injuries to his nephew by striking his head with a machete. Amituana’i told the court it was his anger that caused him to do what he did.

Amituana’i is scheduled to appear on Jan. 17, 2019 for sentencing.

Public Defender Michael White is representing the defendant, while prosecuting the case is Assistant Attorney General Christy Dunn.

MAEA FILIPO

One of the three inmates charged for escaping from confinement in June of this year has entered into a plea agreement with the government.

Maea Filipo, 22, was charged in 3 separate cases. One case charges him with stealing. The other charges him with 4 counts of stealing; 3 counts of 1st degree burglary; 2nd degree burglary; escape from confinement, and the misdemeanor charge of alluding police officers.

In a third case, Filipo was charged with 1 count of escape from confinement.

Under a plea agreement with the government, Filipo agreed to plead guilty to stealing in the first case; and 2 counts of stealing and 1 count of first-degree burglary in the second case.

In return, the remaining charges were dismissed.

With his guilty pleas, Filipo admits that on Jan. 7, 2018 while he was inside a store in Tafuna, he stole a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 tablet, worth more than $100

He also admits that on Dec 22, 2017 he stole several electronic items including an Apple iPad, a computer scanner, and a Samsung tablet from another store in Iliili.

Filipo further confirms that on Dec. 26, 2017, he entered a home in Nu’uuli in the middle of the night without permission and stole several items including 2 television sets, a laptop, 2 speakers, a bag, 4 pairs of shoes, a big fine mat, and an Apple iPad, worth more than $5,000

Acting Public Defender Rob McNeill is representing Filipo while prosecuting the case is Assistant Attorney General Christy Dunn.

Filipo is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 16, 2019 for sentencing. He remains in custody at the TCF, unable to post a $20,000 surety bond.

ONOLETI ALEMA

A man who was accused of unlawful possession of drugs in the beginning of this year pled guilty in High Court last week during a Change of Plea hearing.

Onoleti Alema, 27, was initially charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, to wit; methamphetamine, a felony punishable by imprisonment of not less that five nor more than ten years, and a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $20,000, or both.

However, under a plea agreement with the government which was accepted by the court, Alema pled guilty to the amended charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, to wit; methamphetamine, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than five years and a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

With his plea, Alema admits that on Feb. 7, 2018 he unlawfully possessed a glass pipe containing methamphetamine.

Alema, who is remanded to custody unable to post a $5,000 surety bond, is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 16, 2019 for sentencing.