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Selling' joints' at the Fagatogo Market — hey, it's not legal

Just say no to marijuana symbol
Man pleads guilty
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 28-year-old man accused of selling marijuana joints at the Fagatogo market last year has pled guilty.  Cops arrested Calvin Paulo Jr. on Nov. 22, 2018 after a vendor at the Fagatogo market informed police about a man selling drugs at a bus stop.

Paulo Jr. was initially charged with two felonies: unlawful possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. But under a plea agreement with the government, Paulo pled guilty to unlawful possession of marijuana. In return, the remaining charge was dismissed.

With his guilty plea, Paulo Jr. admits that on Nov. 22, 2018 at the Fagatogo market area, he had in his possession a small bag containing 15 marijuana joints. He further admits that on the day in question, he sold some marijuana joints to people he knew at the market.

The court asked the defendant what he did with all the marijuana joints he had, Paulo Jr. said he sold them to some of his friends and people who asked him for drugs. As part of the plea agreement, the government is recommending probation. Paulo Jr. remains in custody at the TCF, unable to post a $10,000 bond.

He will be sentenced Nov. 29, 2019.