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What happened to Paulo Maae, one of the three Samoans accused in the mail theft case in Alaska?

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Anchorage, ALASKA — Samoa News had reported that the two main co-conspirators — Breadoflife ‘Presley’ Faiupu, 36; and Congress Lepou, 31 — were sentenced to jail this year with restitution to pay.

But there has been nothing on Maae, who participated in the scheme that deprived schools at remote Alaskan villages of Apple computers.

Fili Sagapolutele, Samoa News correspondent replies:

The case is being heard by the federal court in Anchorage, Alaska where documents show that Maae, 25, pled guilty last September to one count of conspiracy and two counts of possession of stolen mail.

The plea was made under a Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement, in which an offender enters into a program of supervised probation, and upon successful completion, the U.S. Attorney will decline prosecution, and the charges will be dismissed.

Maae returns to court again on Sept. 17th this year, for a status hearing on the “Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement”, in which the court will hear testimonies on whether Maae had complied with all conditions of the agreement.

Among several provisions of the agreement, is that Maae attend school or work regularly at a lawful job; remain law abiding; be subject to random testing for drug use; participate in a drug and alcohol treatment or counseling program; and complete 24-hours of community service.

Under the agreement, Maae admits to his role in the mail theft conspiracy, which occurred from March 2015 to April 2017 when all six defendants were employed with Ravn Alaska, an airline contracted by the US Postal Service to deliver mail to post offices in remote Alaskan villages.

The defendants — led by Faiupu and Lepou — stole Apple computers destained for schools and sold them elsewhere. The defendants also stole prepaid phone cards and cigarettes which were then sold to others. Money made by the defendants were shared amongst themselves.

According to the agreement, the retail value of stolen Apple computers attributable to Maae is $7,500. Maae agreed to pay $3,750 towards restitution to Apple during the term of supervision.

If he successfully completes the Pretrial Diversion Program and fulfills all the terms and conditions of the agreement, prosecutors will move to dismiss the charges against him and he will be released from supervision, according to the 10-page agreement.

Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Prisons online records show that Lepou is currently serving his sentence at a medium security federal prison in Sheridon, Oregon.