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Kokoland robber serving probation tests positive for meth

American Samoa High Court building
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMAERICAN SAMOA — A man, who is serving probation for a 2014 conviction for assaulting a Korean woman in connection with a robbery in Kokoland in 2013, re-appeared in court yesterday morning for a probation revocation hearing on the allegation that he violated conditions of probation.

Don Fred Bernard appeared before Chief Justice Michael Kruse, along with his attorney, Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson, while Assistant Attorney General, Christy Dunn represented the government.

According to a report from Probation, Bernard tested positive for methamphetamine when he visited the Probation Office last week.

One of the conditions of his probation requires him to remain alcohol and drug free.

When Bernard’s case was called, Anderson told the court that his client denies the allegations against him, and he’s asking for a preliminary examination (PX).

The court has scheduled a PX hearing for next Wednesday, July 26th.

BACKGROUND

Bernard was convicted by a jury of two felonies — robbery and stealing —and a class A misdemeanor, third-degree assault.

He was sentenced to 5 years detention at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF), as a condition of a 15-year probation term.

According to the court, the Korean woman who owned a store in Kokoland told police that she and her husband were robbed and assaulted by Bernard and another man, who departed the territory and is yet to return.

Bernard smashed the front door with a rock, assaulted the Korean couple, and took off with money, cigarettes, and other merchandise.