MEN JAILED FOLLOWING PLEA IN PUAPUA, LEONE BURGLARY CASE 

Semurana Leaumoana and Amosa Ilalio, who were implicated in the burglary of the Ulalei sewing shop and Western Union office in Puapua, Leone last year, were sentenced to serve 12 months in jail as a condition of their seven years probation.

The pair were each charged with first-degree burglary, stealing, underage consumption of alcohol and property damage third degree, but they both pleaded guilty to burglary second degree and underage drinking.

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond noted that despite the severity in this matter the court has considered the plea from the parties that these two are candidates for probation. They were sentenced to seven years probation under the condition that they serve 28 months. The court however ordered that they serve just 12 months, while the rest will be stayed depending on their good behavior.

The young men were both ordered not to consume alcohol and remain law abiding citizens, and they must serve 500 hours of community service. Each were fined $1,000 and they must pay $3,390 in restitution. Semurana was also ordered by the court to renew his immigration status in the territory as it’s been four years since his ID has expired.  This may subject him to leave the territory.

According to the government’s case, on Oct. 25, 2013 police were called to the site of a burglary at the Western Union and Ulalei Fashions in Puapua.  Court filings say that the sewing shop and the Western Union Office were ransacked, and it appeared that the burglars had tried to open the vault that was inside the shop.

Court filings say the burglars managed to turn off the video surveillance camera.

The government claims that owners of the sewing shop and the Western Union office reported that roughly $3,930 worth of items were missing after the burglary, including $2,000 in cash and $200 in coins. Chargers for smart phones were also taken, along with a wireless router, an electric fan, sunglasses, speakers, food items and two donation boxes for Red Cross and the Filipino Community.

NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE IN THE CASE OF THE ARMED ROBBERY

The government’s case against Falefatu Asi and his co-defendants, Alatuna Simi and Samuelu Wright, each who are held behind bars on bail of $100,000, is continued to November 11, 2014 upon a request from their attorney, Assistant Public Defender Mike White. Each has been charged with first-degree robbery and stealing, however Wright faces additional charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon. Prosecuting this matter is Assistant Attorney General Tiffany Oldfield.

White told the court that more time is needed as negotiations are continuing in these cases. According to the government, the lead investigator in this high profile case is Det. Sgt. Amituana’i Filemoni. Court filings says that Asi was the driver of the vehicle that picked up Simi and Wright following the alleged armed robbery that netted them $320.