AUSTRALIA LAUVAI SENTENCED TO STRAIGHT FIVE YEARS IN SEX CASE

A man accused in a sexually related case was sentenced to five years in jail last week Friday. Australia Lauvai was charged with four counts of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and sodomy, however under the plea agreement he has pled guilty to sexual abuse, first degree. Upon his guilty plea, the government moved to dismiss the remaining charges. During the plea agreement hearing, the defendant admitted that between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28, 2013, he touched a girl inappropriately.

According to the plea agreement the government has agreed not to recommend any jail time other than what’s he’s already served during the pre-trial conference period. He has been in jail since last year March.

During sentencing last week, Lauvai apologized for his actions and asked the court for a second chance to return home and seek employment to better his life. Assistant Public Defender, Joel Shiver asked the court to place the defendant on probation, so he can work on bettering his life, and seek employment to care his family.

The defense counsel stated that since Lauvai’s incarceration he has seen a positive change in the defendant’s attitude and that he’s full of remorse for his actions. Prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Tiffany Oldfield said that despite Lauvai’s remorse the court should impose a sentence, given the severity of the crime and also to teach him a lesson so he will not repeat such an offense.

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond handed down a straight five-year sentence for Lauvai.

MACHETE CASE LANDS IN HIGH COURT

Sauoleola Esene, accused of striking another man with a machete, was arraigned in the High Court yesterday. He faces two criminal counts of second degree assault, a felony which is punishable by up to five years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both. The second count against the defendant is Public Peace Disturbance, a class A misdemeanor, which carries a jail term of up to one year in jail, a fine up to $1,000 or both.

According to court filings, the incident occurred on Feb. 4, 2014 in Mesepa. Police responded to the call where they met with a witnesses who informed the police the defendant Esene had approached the victim who was cleaning. It’s alleged Esene punched the victim and then allegedly struck him with the machete, which landed on the victim’s ear.

The witness ran to the defendant and removed the machete. Police saw the victim with a laceration on his ear.

Court filings say the police spoke to the defendant who stated he was angry at the victim because of a previous altercation where the victim had punched him. Esene further told police that he and the victim made up on the day of the first incident.

However, Esene said when he saw the victim, he got angry again and he walked towards the victim and punched him on the face several times before a bystander stopped him. Esene who is represented by the Public Defender’s office remains in custody on bail of $5,000.

LIU FELIUA’I CHARGED IN SEX CASE

The Attorney General’s office has charged a 25-year-old man on allegations he had a sexual relationship with a minor female. The incident came to light when it was reported to the police last month.

Police spoke to the 16-year-old girl, who confirmed with the police that she began having a sexual relationship with the defendant in February, 2014 with the latest incident on Mar. 12, 2014, alleging they had had sex on numerous occasions.

Liu Feliua’i is charged with three criminal felony counts of sexual assault and deviate sexual assault which are class C felonies, punishable with up to seven years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both;  and sexual abuse first degree, which is a class D felony and carries a jail term of up to five years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

The defendant was arraigned in High Court yesterday and he’s represented by the Public Defender’s office with his bail set at $10,000.

A Pre-trial conference for the defendant has been scheduled for next month.