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reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Cases involving immigration violations, drug charges, and stealing move forward in both District and High Court. 

NICHOLAS NAUER

The man who failed to renew his ID and then tested positive for meth last Thursday when he appeared in court has been released to the custody of the Immigration Office.

Nicholas Nauer appeared before District Court Judge Fiti Sunia last Friday, during which time the court was informed that Nauer's wife is working on getting the money together to settle his immigration woes.

Defense attorney, Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson moved to quash the bench warrant that was issued for his client, saying Nauer is "close" to getting his immigration status fixed.

Sunia was told that Nauer is sponsored by his stepfather, who is currently in Samoa.

To clarify the issue and ensure that the court will not be accused of "overlooking" Nauer's immigration status, Sunia said Nauer had a valid ID when he was picked up and criminally charged. His ID didn't expire until after the fact.

Nauer's next court appearance is set for Jan. 25.

"In the next two weeks, something needs to be moving at the Immigration Office for this defendant," Sunia said. He also warned Nauer that when he appears in court that day, he will be drug tested.

Nauer is serving a 24-month probation sentence for assaulting his sister with the broken wooden handle of a hammer back in 2017. A condition of his probation included him getting his ID renewed. But he didn't.

Because of that, he appeared in court last Thursday for a probation revocation hearing. It was then that he was drug tested and the results were positive for meth. He spent the night at the TCF Thursday and appeared in court the next day, Friday.

He is now in the custody of the Immigration Office.

METHODIST KUKA MIKA

The former firefighter who was serving probation for a 2018 drug conviction has been ordered by the court to secure gainful employment within the next 120 days.

Methodist Kuka Mika appeared in High Court last Friday for a disposition hearing.

He told the court that the mistakes he made in the past, he's put them behind him.

"How far behind?" presiding Chief Justice Miichael Kruse asked.

"I got rid of all the old friends that got me in trouble," replied Mika, who added that he's been spending lots of time with his family, his spiritual parents, and he's been trying to look for a job.

Mika's attorney, Public Defender Michael White told the court that his client has "finally seen the light." He recommended to keep Mika on probation.

(Mika is serving a 5-year probation sentence after he pled guilty to unlawful possession of methamphetamine in April last year).

Prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Christy Dunn did not object. She said there have been positive changes in Kuka. He's stayed out of trouble for the past several months, and they do not oppose keeping him on probation.

Kruse called a brief recess so he can consult with Chief Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr.

When court reconvened, Kruse ordered Mika to find a job within 120 days and a probation review hearing for him is set for May 17.

O&O DEFENDANTS

Siueli Blake, Kalala Leilua, and Arona Ma'a are all scheduled for pretrial conferences on Feb. 28.

The trio — facing stealing charges for the alleged theft of more than $19,000 worth of items from their former employer, O&O Wholesale — all entered "not guilty" pleas last Friday during their arraignment in High Court.

They are all represented by Assistant Public Defender Rob McNeill while prosecuting the case is Assistant Attorney General Laura Garvey.

SHARNEL SAGOTE & SOO SAVELIO

Co-defendants Sharnel Sagote and Soo Savelio appeared in High Court last Friday for their pretrial conference. The court has ordered a continuance for Jan. 25

Sagote and Savelio are each charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a class D felony punishable by not less than or more than 10 years, and a fine between $5,000 and $20,000.

When the pair made their initial appearances in District Court two months ago, Judge Fiti Sunia established bail for Sagote at $10,000 while Savelio was remanded to custody without bail, due to his immigration status. According to a report from the Immigration Office which was provided to the court, Savelio entered American Samoa on a 30-day permit in November 2017.

Both men are in custody at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF).