Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Court has accepted a request from the defense attorney to continue Ropati Mapu’s pretrial conference to next month, so they can go through all the information pertaining to the first three criminal cases filed against him, and add a new criminal case that was filed just last week.

During Mapu’s most recent court appearance last month, his attorney informed the court that they had received discovery and an offer from the government, and he asked for a continuance to July 2nd, which was last week.

When Mapu’s case was called, the defense attorney informed the court that they had reached an agreement with the government in the first three criminal cases filed late last year, but they are seeking one more continuance to see if they can combine those three cases with a new case.

The government’s attorney echoed the defense attorney's request for another continuance, saying the defendant has a new criminal case in the District Court, and he’s scheduled to have his preliminary examination (PX) this Friday.

Mapu, who remains in custody unable to post a $10,000 bond was initially charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, meth, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, both felonies.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred Sept. 25, 2020 when police found drugs inside Mapu’s vehicle and in his possession. A male passenger who was with Mapu, when police searched his vehicle, told police he went twice with Mapu to buy drugs.

One week after Mapu was arrested and charged with drug possession, the government filed two more criminal cases against him, charging him with felony stealing in each case. The government claims the defendant took property from a person and sold it without the owner’s authorization.

For the fourth case, the one filed last week, the government is charging Mapu with one count of felony stealing.

Mapu was remanded in custody to await his next court appearance, which is scheduled for next month.