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Court Report

Translated by Samoa News staff

POSSESSION OF DRUGS CASE NOW IN HIGH COURT

The government’s case against two men charged with drug possession is now with the High Court and their next court appearance is next month.

Defendants Wayne ‘Ueni’ Gasolo and Ioane Sakopo, aka Inky, were arrested last month at a vacant house which was unlawfully occupied by the owner’s “male relative”, who allegedly told young teenage girls they had to have sex with other men in exchange for drugs and money, according to court documents.

The pair is each charged with one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine. Sakopo is faced with an additional misdemeanor charge of possessing an unlicensed firearm.

The defendants, who remain in custody unable to post $10,000 bail each, were arraigned Monday in High Court after their cases were bound over last Friday from District Court. During the arraignment hearing, the defendants entered not guilty pleas through their attorneys.

Police are still searching for the “male relative” who used the owner’s home to bring teenager girls to have “sexual intercourse with certain individuals”, at the male relative’s direction, “in exchange for drugs and money”, according to court documents.

BERNARD IAKOPO

District Court Judge Fiti A. Sunia has ordered that Bernard Iakopo be returned to the Behavioral Health Center so the defendant can get the necessary medical attention instead of detaining him at the Territorial Correctional Facility.

Iakopo was in court late last week for a misdemeanor — public peace disturbance — over an incident where he was shouting and screaming in front of a store. During the court hearing, Sunia noted that Iakopo has frequently appeared in court for various charges and it’s not appropriate to detain him at TCF where its crowded and he won’t get the medical treatment he needs.

Iakopo was convicted two months ago in District Court for two separate incidents at the AP Lutali Executive Building in Utulei.  A physician’s report presented to the court states that Iakopo does not comply with instructions on taking his medication.

Sunia has ordered that Iakopo be held at the Behavior Health Center for two weeks for his medical treatment before calling the case again.

WIFE ABUSER PLACE ON PROBATION

A husband convicted of assaulting his wife in front of the couple’s children has been sentenced by the District Court to serve 18 months probation after the court waived the 45 days in jail.

The court has also warned the defendant he must comply with all conditions of probation, such as he is prohibited from threatening or assaulting his wife and children, and be a law-abiding citizen.

Samoa News does not identify the defendant; in this case, the husband, in domestic violence cases to protect the victim.

The defendant pled guilty last week to two misdemeanor counts of assault in the third degree and private peace disturbance in his family.

A dispute between husband and wife occurred a few weeks ago, after the husband came home late from work and was drunk and the wife got suspicious. Thereafter the couple got into a verbal argument, which was followed by the husband pushing the wife who then fell in front of the couple’s children. The husband then began pulling his wife’s hair and hitting her on the face.

During sentencing, the defendant apologized for his actions and said that their dispute has been resolved.

Other conditions of probation are that the defendant pay a $125 fine and attend and complete alcohol counseling.

ANOTHER DOMESTIC CASE IN COURT

In the District Court on Monday, a man around 34 years old made his initial appearance and was charged with two misdemeanor counts of assault in the third degree and public peace disturbance.

Court information shows the defendant allegedly assaulted his wife last week after the couple got into an argument. The wife told police that her husband came home drunk and started questioning her about money given to her to buy family goods and to take care of the couple’s children.

The wife told police that after the alleged assault, her husband went to sleep and that’s when she called police for help.

While the defendant was released without having to post bail, the court barred him from returning to the couple’s home as the case proceeds in court. Additionally, he can only return home if the court provides an order.

Samoa News does not identify the defendant; in this case, the husband, in domestic violence cases to protect the victim.

(Original Samoan stories published yesterday in the Lali section of Samoa News and online over the weekend.)