Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 22-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.

Minute Talosaga, under a plea agreement with the government, pled guilty to the 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 sometime during February last year, he misappropriated property by stealing cement and lumber belonging to his neighbor.

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

“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 parents and his church’s pastor, all present in court, were in tears when Talosaga apologized.

His mother took the witness stand and asked the court for a light sentence for her son. The mother said that after the incident, they went with her husband to the victim’s home and apologized on behalf of her son’s actions. In December of last year, they went back to the victim’s home and gave them $500 for the items her son stole from them.

Talosaga’s mother’s account was confirmed by attorneys of both parties.

Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson told the court that he received the copy of the receipts from the victim confirming that his client’s parents paid them $500 for the items he stole. However if the restitution is higher, Talosaga’s parents are prepared to pay whatever balance the order requires his client is to pay.

Anderson then asked the court to give Talosaga another chance. He said his client is only 22 years old, very immature, and he has advised him to think about his future. He noted his client is a suitable candidate for probation. The prosecutor echoed the statement.

The court said that while Talosaga is only 22, 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 a $500 fine within 6 months, restitution of $741 and secure gainful employment.