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Court Report

TWO MEN PLEAD GUILTY TO DAMAGING MACHINERY IN AUA

 

The two young men accused of damaging McConnell Dowell road equipment which were parked overnight at Aua three months ago, have entered guilty pleas in the High Court.

 

Patrick Upusili and Billy Tusi were each charged last month with first-degree property damage and public peace disturbance. Tusi faced an additional charge of underage drinking. Under an amended charge outlined in a plea agreement, the defendants pled guilty to second-degree property damage and Tusi also pled guilty to underage drinking.

 

During the plea hearing late last week, the court accepted the plea agreement but rejected a defense motion to release the defendants from jail to await sentencing this Friday.

 

According to court documents, McConnell Dowell personnel reported to police that their smooth gravel machine and dump truck were damaged, around 5:30a.m. on Aug. 31st.

 

An eyewitness, who was drinking alcohol with the defendants earlier that morning, told police Upusili started the tractor and drove it forward before hitting a National Park sign. Upusili damaged the tractor’s headlights, and used a rock to shatter its windshield.

 

According to the witness, the two defendants then broke the tractor’s triangular-shaped part and side mirror, and threw them in the ocean. The witness told police that Tusi then “forcibly broke McConnell Dowell’s dump truck’s door handle and entered through the driver’s side.”

 

Tusi damaged the wires below the steering wheel of the dump truck in an attempt to start the truck’s engine, while Upusili broke the truck’s gears and the sign signals, said court documents.

 

Tusi then used a long metal object to hit the truck’s windshield, causing the windshield to crack. He also forcibly broke the truck’s side mirror, and used a rock to shatter the mirror and one of the truck’s taillights, the government said.

 

When police apprehended the defendants, the pair “reeked of alcohol” and “both jokingly and laughingly admitted to damaging the McConnell Dowell machines,” according to court documents, which also states that McConnell Dowell estimates the damages at $6,500.

 

FORMER CSL EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO EMBEZZLEMENT

 

Tagi Te’o, 56, of Lauli’i, who was accused of embezzling just over $10,000 from her former employer CSL Corporation, entered a guilty plea last Wednesday in High Court, during a change of plea hearing.

 

Te’o was charged earlier this year with one count each of embezzlement and stealing — both felonies, punishable by up to seven years in jail, a fine up to $5,000 or both.

 

Under a plea agreement with the government, Te’o pled guilty to embezzlement and the remaining charge was dismissed. Te’o, who remains in custody, unable to post $10,000 bail, will be sentenced Dec. 13th.

 

According to court filings, the defendant admitted to police she took cash payments — approximately $6,000 to $8,000 — on various occasions and used them for her personal use.

 

However, one of the CSL owners told police there were also several discrepancies or missing money from CSL’s checking account, totaling some $10,696.31

 

Te’o, who worked for the company for about 10 years, was one of the senior employees at CSL, according to court documents.

 

Her legal counsel, Assistant Public Defender Michael White said his client is only responsible to pay back between $6,000-$8,000.

 

SAMUELU TIPA CHARGED WITH BURGLARY AFTER RUNNING AWAY FROM COPS

 

The District Court has set bail at $10,000 for a man charged with one count each of second degree burglary, resisting arrest, and attempted stealing.

 

Samuelu Tipa was charged in connection with an incident that occurred on Jan. 31, 2013 where he illegally entered a home in Puapua.

 

Court filings allege the homeowner confronted the defendant, who was holding a chemical pump spray used to treat grass.

 

A neighbor told police he heard a noise and went to see what was happening and found the homeowner arguing with the defendant, who was holding a chemical pump spray.

 

On Feb. 4, the defendant — when he was finally located — was escorted by three cops to a police vehicle. However, the defendant ran away from the police officers and headed down the road, evading law enforcement officials. He was not taken into custody until last week.

 

TAXI DRIVER SEEKS TRIAL IN CASE OF ALLEGED SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

 

Taxi driver Tamiano Tino’s case is set for trial on Nov. 11, 2014 after a verbal request was made to the High Court. Tino is charged with stealing and attempted first degree sexual abuse and remains in custody — unable to post $15,000 bail.

 

Through his legal counsel, Assistant Public Defender Joel Shiver, the defendant wanted to move his case forward for trial, during a court appearance last Wednesday. He has already pled 'not guilty' to both charges.

 

The government alleges that earlier this year in August, the complaining witness was in a taxi driven by the defendant, who refused to let her out of the vehicle. When the taxi slowed down along a road in the Western District, the female passenger jumped out and called police for assistance.

 

It’s also alleged the defendant tried to kiss the victim’s cheek and placed his hand on her thigh while she was sleeping in the taxi cab. Tino is further accused of taking $180 from the passenger while she was sleeping.