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Court Report

FRED MALOATA FINED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE CASE

 

One of the two men charged in connection with damaging McConnell Dowell excavator machines parked in Leone last year October was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay half of the damages to the machines in restitution. Maloata and his co-defendant Vesi Simi were each charged with property damage, a class D felony that carries a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both. Simi had already been sentenced and was also fined and ordered to pay restitution.

 

Maloata pled guilty to second degree property damage, amended from the original count he was charged with as part of the plea agreement. Associate Justice Lyle L. Richmond  who was accompanied by Associate Judge Mamea Sala handed down sentencing in this case.

 

The defendant apologized to the court for his wrongdoing, and asked the court for leniency. Maloata further apologized to his family, especially to his mother. He stated that no mother would want to see her son make the wrong decision and it’s because of his disobedience that he has come before the court for breaking the law.

 

Court filings say that the wires for the machines were cut, windows shattered, the windshield wipers broken, and it appears there was an attempt to take the battery out of each of the machines.

 

According to the government’s case, police interviewed the security guard at the store across the place where the machines had been parked, who said he saw Simi and Maloata at the bus stop near the area and he only learned that the machines were damaged the next day.

 

Another witness informed police he saw the defendants near the place where the machines were parked, while the engine covers were open and when he heard noise coming from the machines, he left.

 

Police questioned the pair, who admitted that they had vandalized the machines.

 

Maloata of Leone was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to remain a law abiding citizen. Terms of the probation include not being allowed to consume alcohol and that he must be gainfully employed.

 

Court filings say that total amount of machines’ damages was $3,420; and Maloata was ordered to pay half, while his co-defendant was ordered to pay the other half.

 

FERETI TINO PLACED ON PROBATION IN BURGLARY CASE

 

A young man convicted of second degree burglary was sentenced to five years probation in the High Court last week. Fereti Tino was charged with second degree burglary and stealing, however in a plea agreement with the government, he pled guilty to the burglary count while the government moved to dismiss the stealing charge.

 

The defendant apologized for what happened and asked the court for a second chance to return home and care for his parents. Tino also wants to seek employment, he told the court.

 

The defendant said that his eight months at the Tafuna Correctional Facility have taught him a huge lesson and he will not break into anyone’s home again nor disobey his parents.

 

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond sentenced the defendant to five years probation, under certain conditions. He must pay a $1,0000 fine, and $120 restitution to the family for the DVD, shoes and clothes that he removed from said home in the matter.