Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Iosefa Paito was released from the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) last week, after the court decided not to revoke his probation.

Paito, who had been held in custody without bail for 73 days after his arrest, appeared in High Court last week for a Disposition Hearing, for failure to comply with the conditions of his 2019 probation.

Paito apologized to the court and asked for another chance to return to his family, if given another chance, he will be a good citizen and seek employment to pay his fine and restitution.

Both parties recommended to given the defendant a second chance. 

The court said it would not revoke Paito's probation but instead add two conditions to his probation: Paito must find a job in 90 days, and Probation — based on the pre-sentence report — must see to it that Paito undergoes a mental evaluation.

Paito was convicted of theft and was sentenced to 7 years probation. Paito, along with two co-defendants, unlawfully entered a home in Ottoville, where Paito stole a computer. He served 28 months at TCF,  and was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and restitution of $1,200.

TASI TAULOGO

The court granted a motion by the defense to quash the bench warrant issued for Tasi Taulogo, for failure to appear last month for an Order to Show Cause (OSC) hearing, after claims that he revoked his probation. 

According to Probation, Taulogo failed to pay his $1,500 fine and restitution of $1,180 and also did not comply with the conditions that he visits probation every month. 

The defendant was a no-show. His attorney said efforts were made to contact Taulogo, but were unsuccessful and in turn the court then issued a bench warrant.

Earlier this month the defendant was taken into custody and when he appeared in court, the judge was informed he had lost his phone and forgotten about his court hearing.

Taulogo was released from custody after the court quashed the warrant.

The court strongly advised Taulogo that if he violated any condition of his probation, again the court would revisit its decision which includes the condition that orders him to depart the territory and remain outside of its border for five years as part of his probation. 

This condition was stayed by the court during Faalogo’s sentencing.

UPUMONI LIMA

A man has been charged with drug charges after two glass pipes were found two glass pipes containing methamphetamine. 

Upumoni Lima appeared in the District Court last month and he's out on bail of $5,000. 

Two police officers patrolling the Malaeimi public highway on the early morning of Aug. 14, 2022, observed a pick-up truck speeding, and the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

The officers initiated a traffic stop and before officers explained the reason for the stop, the defendant quickly told officers that he forgot his driver’s license at home but it was still valid. He also told officers that his immigration ID is also still valid but he doesn’t know where he put it.

The defendant was informed that they were going to impound his vehicle at the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) given he did not have a driver’s license. Prior to the transport, officers conducted a body search, where they found two glass pipes containing a white crystalline substance inside his left rear pocket. The criminal complaint says Lima admitted to police that the methamphetamine (meth) belonged to him and only uses it occasionally.

He is charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth.

ATAPANI TAUPENI

A 29-year-old man charged with unlawful possession of drugs, second-degree attempted burglary, third-degree assault and public peace disturbance, is held on bail $5,000. 

This is in relation to an incident in Fagatogo. Police received a call for assistance, that a man tried to break into an apartment in Fagatogo by trying to damage the side window.

Police responded to the call but were unable to locate the suspect, this was in August. However earlier this month, the same caller contacted police again, the accused who attempted to break into his apartment is now trying to break into his neighbor's apartment. 

Police responded and at the scene, asked Taupeni to come with them for questioning, however the defendant took off on foot and a chase ensued.

With the help of other villagers, Taupeni was apprehended and body search of Taupeni netted two hand rolled marijuana joints in his pocket.

Tapeni told police that his friend from Taputimu gave him the marijuana joints. When asked about his involvement in the alleged attempted break-in at an apartment, Taupeni told police that it was his friend’s idea to burglarize the apartment, however, they left the scene after a man scolded them.

The green leafy substance from the two joints tested positive for THC, the active compound in marijuana.

ONOSA’I VILIMAA

A man was arrested last month for a public peace disturbance (PPD), however Police later discovered he had an outstanding arrest warrant.

Onosa’i Vilimaa, 38, who has a previous assault conviction from 2015 made his initial appearance in court last month.

Vilimaa is charged with second-degree assault and unlawful possession of marijuana, PPD and third-degree assault.

Bail is set at $5,000.

According to the criminal complaint, a woman contacted police for assistance, regarding an intoxicated man yelling profanities at her father and punching him.

According to the complainant her father did not throw any punches. Several bystanders stopped the defendant from striking the victim again.

The victim then moved his vehicle and blocked the defendant’s vehicle from leaving the scene until a police unit with four police officers pulled up and got the matter under control.

Cops apprehended the defendant inside his truck, and transported him to the TPS for questioning.

It was revealed during the defendant’s interview with police that he has an outstanding arrest warrant from another assault case, where he is alleged to have assaulted a man by using an empty beer bottle to strike his head.

He also has a 2015 conviction for second-degree assault after he assaulted a man during a drinking session by stabbing him with a knife, causing severe injuries to the victim’s neck and shoulder.