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Court Report

[SN file photo]
reporters@samoanews.com

OKESENE ALO

Public Safety officer, Okesene Alo, was arraigned in High Court last Friday where he entered a not guilty plea to three felony counts. Alo is one of the four officers, assigned to the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), charged in connection with alleged misconduct at the JDC.

Alo’s not guilty plea, was made by his attorney Sharron Rancourt, who also requested for the next court hearing to be held within 60 days. The next court appearance of Alo, who is facing one count each of rape, first-degree sexual abuse and deviate sexual assault — is set for Aug. 4th.

The sex charges against the defendant stems from allegations of having sexual contact with a 14-year female juvenile who was in custody at JDC between May and August of last year. 

The court had also set trial for Dec. 16, 2019; however, an alternative trial date — if it became available later — is Feb. 19, 2018.  As of last Friday, Alo remains in custody unable to post a $15,000 bond.

The defendant already has other charges against him in High Court from the same JDC case. Last month, Alo pled not guilty to 14 felonies including 4 counts of unlawful possession of methamphetamine; 4 counts of unlawful distribution of methamphetamine; three counts of aiding the escape of a prisoner; and three counts of permitting the escape of a prisoner.

He is also charged with 7 misdemeanor charges, including four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. His pre-trial conference is set for June 30, with trial for June 2018.

MAKERITA LEITUANE

A change of plea hearing is set for June 2 this year in the High Court for Makerita Leituane, a former American Samoa Power Authority employee accused of stealing just over $18,000 from the ASPA office in Aunu’u.

As reported by Samoa News in February this year, Leituane is charged with one count each of felony stealing and embezzlement. She had already entered a not guilty plea to the charges.

Leituane appeared in High Court last Friday for a hearing where the defendant’s attorney Public Defender Douglas Fiaui announced that the government has presented a plea offer, in which both sides have agreed to accept. Therefore the defense requests a change of plea hearing date.

According to court document, Leituane was in charge of overseeing money paid by customers for debit meters, or power cash, at ASPA’s office at the island-village of Aunu’u.

However, she hadn’t turn in any money or accounting. When questioned by ASPA officials, she claimed that the office was robbed and all the money was stolen.

She gave the same information when questioned by police last year; however, she later recanted her story, alleging that she used the money, $18,500, for herself.

Leituane remains in custody unable to post a $10,000 bail.