Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Despite strong opposition from the defense attorney on the new allegation against Tautua Letasi, police officers continue to search for one of the most wanted men in American Samoa.

Letasi, who has several outstanding warrants in his name, is scheduled to appear in High Court this Friday for an Order to Show Cause (OSC) hearing, for violating conditions of his release and for contempt of a court order.

Furthermore, he’s also scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 17 for a new jury trial on unlawful possession of illegal drugs and firearms charges, after the court declared a mistrial last September when a jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Public Defender Michael White is representing Letasi — also known as Fiti or Kovaga — while Assistant Attorney General Christy Dunn is prosecuting the case.

The government attorney confirmed to Samoa News last week that police are still looking for Letasi. The search has been on since last month, when the court issued a signed warrant for his arrest.

According to the government, the arrest warrant is based on the allegation that Letasi stole a rental vehicle and used it to kidnap a 21-year-old female.

The alleged kidnap was reported to police on Nov. 1, 2018 by the aunty of the 21-year-old girl, who told police that Letasi was the one who stole her rental vehicle and allegedly kidnapped her niece.

Police were unable to locate Letasi at his home when they went looking for the stolen rental vehicle; however, police did arrest two males who were at the gate which leads up to Letasi’s residence, after cops discovered illegal drugs in their possession.

The two males were Soo Savelio, an overstayer from Samoa; and Sharnel Sagote. Both men have been charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, and they are still in custody unable to post a $5,000 surety bond.

TIMELINE

On Nov. 10, police obtained a signed arrest warrant from the court to arrest Letasi.

On Nov. 11, armed detectives of the DPS Vice & Narcotics Unit were still searching for Letasi when they received information regarding Letasi being spotted in a white rental vehicle with a female.

Detectives located the rental vehicle in Pago Pago and pulled it over, to confirm that Letasi was actually inside, which he wasn't. Instead, there were two females in the car.

The traffic stop resulted in the driver, Olotele Pouesi, being arrested and charged for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.