Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 25-year-old man who was convicted of stealing was released from custody last week after the High Court determined that the 14 months he served at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) to await sentencing, was enough.

Aleluia Talosaga, under a plea agreement with the government, pled guilty to an amended charge of stealing, a class C felony, punishable by not more than 7 years imprisonment, and/or a fine of not more than $5,000.

With his guilty plea, Talosaga admits that some time during June of last year, he stole a tool box, power tools, cement and lumber belong to his uncle’s company

During sentencing, Talosaga apologized to the government, the court, and people of American Samoa for his behavior and asked for forgiveness. He also apologized to his uncle and his family for his actions.

“I didn’t mean to break the law; unfortunately, I made a mistake and I can't take back what happened. This is coming from a man who is truly remorseful. I promise I will never do any stupid thing like this again. Please, I want to go home to my family,” Talosaga said.

His father, who is the victim’s brother, was in court in tears while listening to his son’s statement.

His father took the witness stand and asked the court for a light sentence for his son. The father said that after the incident, they went with his wife and family to the victim’s home and apologized on behalf of his son’s actions. In November of last year, they went back to the victim’s home and gave them $800 for the items his son stole from them.

Attorneys of both parties confirmed the father’s account.

Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson told the court that he received a copy of the receipts from the victim confirming that his client’s parents paid them $800 for the items he stole. However if the restitution is higher, Talosaga’s parents are prepared to pay what ever balance his client is ordered to pay.

Anderson then asked the court to give Talosaga another chance. He said his client is only 25 years old, very immature, and he has advised him to think about his future.

Anderson said his client is a suitable candidate for probation. The prosecutor echoed the statement.

The court said that while Talosaga is only 25, the pre-sentence report shows that he's had a prior run-in with the law.

“At the time it seemed minor and the punishment that was ordered in those cases also seemed minor…  now you’re in the big league, so the offenses are no longer considered minor, and the punishment will no longer be minor, and you ought to keep that in mind as you go forward,” the court told the defendant.

Talosaga was placed on probation for 5 years under certain conditions. He has to remain a law abiding at all times, visit the probation office once a month, and serve 14 months at the TCF.

“You will be credited the time you have already served; the balance of 6 months will be stayed as long as you comply with all conditions of your probation,” the court told Talosaga, who was also ordered to pay an $800 fine within 6 months, restitution of $1,241 and secure gainful employment.