MICHAEL AGASIVA ENTERS GUITLY PLEA

Repeat offender, inmate Michale Agasiva entered into a plea agreement with the government when he appeared in the District Court yesterday to answer to Public Peace Disturbance and Third Degree Assault charges.

Agasiva was charged on allegations that he assaulted another inmate. During the status hearing, both sides informed the court they’ve entered into a plea agreement. Agasiva pleaded guilty to the PPD count while the remaining charge was dismissed.

District Court Judge John Ward asked Agasiva what happened and Agasiva explained that it had been three nights in a row he was unable to sleep as one of the inmates in the cell near him was making too much noise.

Agasiva further told the court that on Aug. 10, 2014, he went looking for the inmate who had been screaming the night before and slapped him. Agasiva is currently serving five years in jail for assaulting a man with a machete.

Ward accepted the plea agreement in this matter.

VESI MALUA PLACED ON PROBATION

Vesi Malua has been placed on 12 months probation after appearing before the District Court for third degree assault. This is in connection with an incident where the defendant punched a taxi driver who refused to take him where he wanted to go.

Malua apologized for is actions to the court, the government and the taxi driver.

District Court Judge John Ward sentenced the defendant to 12 months probation under certain conditions. He pointed out the 13 days that Malua spent at the Tafuna Correctional Facility suffices in this matter.

In other conditions, the defendant was ordered not to consume any alcoholic beverage, not congregate with those who are drinking, or enter any bars or taverns. He was also ordered to apologize to the victim in this case.

Court filings say that Malua and his friends were at a club located in the old bowling alley building back in April, and at the end of the night they contacted a cab for transportation. However when the taxi arrived, the driver refused to take Malua and his friends as they were overly intoxicated. Malua then swore at the taxi driver and threatened him. The taxi driver attempted to explain to the defendant why he was refusing to take them, when Malua punched him. The taxi driver was not inured from the assault.

MAN ACQUITTED ON FELONY CHARGE, CONVICTED FOR MISDEMEANORS

Members of a Jury acquitted Naseri Lemoa, 20, of felony burglary but convicted him of property damage, trespassing and underage drinking, which are misdemeanors.

Assistant Attorney General Tony Graf during opening statement stated that on Oct. 2, 2012 in Ottoville, the defendant allegedly broke into a home and after entering the house he touched a girl on her stomach.

Defense Counsel, Public Defender Douglas Fiaui told the court the defendant entered his aunt’s house because he was looking for a place to sleep, because he was scared to go home as he was intoxicated and he did not intend to conduct any criminal activity.

Following the verdict, Lemoa was released from jail pending his sentencing on June 27.