Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused of assaulting another man with a machete has entered into a plea agreement with the government.

Afa Lafaele, who has been in custody since his arrest in 2018 appeared in court last week for his Change of Plea (COP) hearing.

Lafaele, 52, was initially charged with a class A felony first-degree assault, which carries a punishment of life imprisonment or at least 30 years in jail. But under a plea agreement with the government, Fuimaono pled guilty to the lesser felony of second-degree assault, punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years, or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

With his guilty plea, Lafaele admits that on Nov. 30, 2018 at his plantation, he struck Eliapo Fineaso three times with a machete causing severe injuries to him.

According to terms of the plea agreement, the charges against Lafaele stem from an incident where he struck another man with a machete when he found the man stealing coconuts and bananas from his plantation in Kokoland.

Lafaele had gone to do his usual work at his banana plantation, however, in the middle of his plantation he found green coconuts and bananas lying on the ground. He then noticed

Fineaso inside his banana plantation trying to steal his green coconuts and bananas.

Lafaele then took all the coconuts back home with him, before he returned to his plantation. When he arrived back to his plantation, Fineaso called out to him and asked why he took the green coconuts with him. Lafaele said he did not respond but continued with his work.

Fineaso then ran fast toward Lafaele and punched him in the face causing Lafaele to fall on the ground and hit his head on a rock. The defendant felt dizzy and became unconscious when the victim punched him — but woke up again after his head hit the rock.

Once the defendant was conscious, he grabbed the machete and struck Fineaso three times — on his foot, his arm and then on his back.

Sentencing is scheduled for Apr. 24 and Lafaele is still in custody, unable to post his $30,000 surety bond.

ALEKI FUIFATU

A man accused of stealing items from his employer told the court that the allegations against him are true.

Aleki Fuifatu was initially charged with 3 counts of stealing, and 3 counts of 2nd degree burglary, all class C felonies. Under a plea agreement with the government, Fuifatu agreed to plead guilty to 3 counts of 2nd degree burglary, in return, the remaining charges were dismissed.

With his guilty plea Fuifatu admits that on Dec. 12 & 28, 2018, as well as Jan. 03, 2019 in Tafuna, he unlawfully entered the warehouse of the company where he was working and stole several items.

Fuifatu further stated that on the dates of the incident, he broke the back door of the warehouse to make entry. While he was inside, he stole several electronic tools along with other merchandise and delivered it to his house.

Fuifatu, who has been in custody since his arrest, unable to post his $15,000 is scheduled to appear in court on Apr. 22, 2020 for sentencing.