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Great-grandfather’s sex abuse case in high court

The oldest man to be charged in a sexual case in the territory was arraigned in High Court yesterday. The 93-year old great-grandfather, who is facing sexually related charges in allegations involving his four year old great-granddaughter, has denied the charges against him.

Samoa News is withholding the name of the defendant to protect the identity of the victim.

Presiding over the matter is Chief Justice Michael Kruse.

The defendant, who is out on a surety bond of $15,000, waived his right to a preliminary examination in the District Court on Thursday.

The great-grandfather is facing felony charges of child molestation, sodomy, deviate sexual assault, sexual abuse first degree and endangering the welfare of a child.

Court filings state that on February 28, 2012 police received a call from LBJ hospital pertaining to a suspected sexual assault on a four-year old who was bleeding from her private parts.

According to court documents, the victim was seen by various doctors, and Dr. Aguilera, is quoted in the court affidavit, as saying he was told that the victim was playing and that she had fallen on a tombstone. However, Dr. Aguilera states that most likely this was not produced by a fall, but was more compatible with sexual assault; and that “the perpetrator used something small like a finger or a stick.”

The four year-old victim told police that her great-grandfather hurt her on her private parts when he allegedly touched her, while the defendant denied touching his great-granddaughter inappropriately when detectives questioned him, according to the documents.

Prosecuting this matter is Deputy Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Folau, who said the government is concerned that if the defendant is released on bail he may have access to other children near his residence.  

Pre-trial conference for this defendant is scheduled June 30, 2012.