Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man from Samoa who pled guilty to meth possession has been ordered to serve 20 months in the Territorial Correction Facility as a condition of a 5-year probation.

Faamatala Iakopo appeared in High Court last week for sentencing. He has been in custody since his arrest in February 2019, unable to post a $10,000 surety bond.

Iakopo was initially charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine; and one court of unlawful possession of marijuana — both felonies punishable by imprisonment of 5-10 years, a fine between $5,000- $20,000 or both.

Under a plea agreement accepted by the High Court last December, Iakopo pled guilty to the amended charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a class D felony punishable by up to 5 years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

Iakopo admits that on May 21, 2019 he had on him, drugs and paraphernalia when police pulled over his vehicle for a traffic violation.

When given the chance to speak, Iakopo apologized and begged for a second chance so he could return home and care for his wife and kids. He told the court that he missed his eldest’s son graduation from high school last year after he was arrested for this crime. He wanted to go home to continue his care for his young children.

With tears in his eyes, Iakopo said he’s remorseful and knows his kids really need him home.

The defense attorney asked the court to adopt Probation’s recommendation in the Pre Sentence Report (PSR), and sentence Iakopo to probation. He said Iakopo is a first-time offender, and the drugs found on him were for personal use. The prosecutor echoed the defense’s submission.

According to the court, Iakopo was pulled over because the light on his license plate was not on, and his turn signal wasn't flashing when he turned on to Fogagogo Road on the night of the incident.

When asked for his driver's license, Iakopo said he didn't have it on him, neither did he have any other form of ID. While speaking to Iakopo, an officer noticed a cut-up straw "commonly used to scoop meth” on the back seat of the vehicle.

Iakopo’s vehicle was driven by a cop to the Tafuna Substation where he was told that the vehicle was being impounded until someone with a valid driver's license comes to claim it.

An inventory of the vehicle netted 3 stamp-sized baggies with crystalline substance inside, which later tested positive as meth.

During a body search, police discovered a stamp-sized baggie containing a crystalline substance inside Iakopo’s left pants pocket. In his right pocket, police found a glass pipe containing a crystalline substance, which later tested positive for meth.

Iakopo admitted to police that he started smoking meth two months prior, because it “gives him strength to do his chores at home especially when he works at his plantation.

Iakopo was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.

However, execution of the sentence was suspended and he was placed on a 5-year probation subject to several conditions. He has to serve 20 months at the TCF, and he was credited with the 11 months he has already served. Other conditions of probation require him to remain law abiding, and alcohol and drug free, and he has to pay a $1,000 fine.

Upon release from confinement, Iakopo is ordered to depart the territory and remain outside of its border for the duration of his probation, however, this condition is stayed until further order of the court.