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Man with history in court system sentenced and ordered to pay fine

District Court Judge Fiti Sunia
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 42-year old man from Nu’uuli who has a criminal history in the court system was sentenced by District Court Judge Fiti Sunia to serve a period of detention of 120 days at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF), as a condition of his 24-month probation. He will be credited for the 46 days he already served at TCF while awaiting the outcome of his case, which means, the defendant have 72 more days to serve before his release.

Taai Taufete’e’s sentencing was scheduled for July 28 after the court accepted his guilty plea last week, however, the court changed its calendar and re-scheduled Taufete’e’s sentencing hearing to Friday, July 20.

Taufete’e apologized to the court for his actions and asked for a second chance to be with his family. He told the court that he’s truly remorseful for what he did and he assured the court that nothing like his would happen in the future.

He said that he has an alcohol problem and he’s still trying his best to quit alcohol and do something else for the betterment of his family.

In delivering his decision, Sunia stated that all of the defendant’s issues are a result of alcohol. Taufete’e was on probation when he committed his current crime.

“In his first case, he broke a store glass window, now, he unlawful walked to a neighbor’s land and committed another crime, both times drunk,” Sunia said.

“You have already been given the chance to attend and complete alcohol and illegal drugs counseling programs, and it seems like the programs are not working for you.”

Taufete’e was then placed on probation for 24 months subject to conditions that include he is not to consume any alcohol or possess any illegal drugs, and he is to attend and complete the alcohol counseling program.

The court also ordered him to pay a fine of $100.