CASE OF SENIOR POLICE OFFICER IN COCKROACH SCHEME CONTINUED

Senior police officer Poe Leapa’i, was in the High Court yesterday for his pretrial conference. He’s charged with three charges of stealing on allegations that while in uniform he allegedly placed dead cockroaches in the food he would buy from certain stores run by Asians, and then ask the store owners for money in return for not contacting the Department of Health.  Assistant Public Defender Mike White represents Leapa’i who’s been with the Department of Public Safety for some 17 years. Deputy Attorney General Mitzie Jessop is prosecuting. 

The case was called before Chief Justice Michael Kruse who continued it until December 5, 2014 after Jessop and White approached bench for a private conference. Samoa News understands that the three months would allow the government sufficient time to complete the ongoing investigation.

According to the government’s case, there were three stores in the police affidavit supporting the arrest warrant, which are Coco Mart Happy Mart in Nu’uuli and Mandarin store in Malaeimi — that “were victimized by Leapa’i employing the same method to appropriate money,” say court documents. According to the government’s case, the defendant allegedly collected a total of $240 from the three stores. 

Leapa’i is out on bail of $5,000 which was reduced from his original bail of $10,000 on the condition that he remain a law abiding citizen, remain in contact with his attorney, appear at all court hearings and have no contact with the stores in question, directly or indirectly

WIFE PLEADS WITH COURT FOR LENIENCY

A senior social worker pleaded with the court to be lenient in her husband’s case and stated that there are programs at the Department of Social Services that can help with her husband’s drug problem. Punefuolemotu Tuaolo was in court last week for sentencing. He was arrested in 2012 when the Department of Public Safety allegedly confiscated more than $10,000 in street value of methamphetamine, marijuana and a rifle belonging to Tuaolo.

The defendant originally was facing unlawful possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), unlawful possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), possession of an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

In a plea agreement with the government, the defendant pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a controlled substance of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm, while the government moved to dismiss the other charges.

During sentencing, the defendant’s wife told the court while in tears to allow him a second chance to reunite with his family and also so he can seek further counseling to help him with his dug problem. She told the court that there are programs with DHSS that can help her husband with his drug problem. The wife said her husband is good father to their children and also a good husband to her and since he has been incarcerated she has seen positive changes in Punefu.

His auntie also took the stand to plead for leniency, asking to court to release the defendant from jail, saying she would be there to help guide him away from the drugs.

The defendant apologized for his actions to the court, the government, his family and especially his wife and children and asked for a second chance from the court.

Chief Justice Michael Kruse needing additional information on this matter postponed the sentencing to October 31, 2014.