Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The two men convicted of receiving stolen property from an Ottoville home were given light sentences two weeks ago. Ross Tavita and Alema Iasoni were ordered to serve 20 months at the TCF, as a condition of their 5-year probation terms.

Both men have been in custody since their arrest, each unable to post a $15,000 bond.

Tavita was initially charged with one count of receiving stolen property, a class C felony. But under a plea agreement, he pled guilty to the amended charge of conspiracy to receive stolen property from another person, a class D felony.

With his guilty plea, Tavita admits that on Dec. 29, 2020 he agreed to help Iasoni sell two chainsaws and a tool box to a friend from Vaitogi knowing that the items were stolen, and the total value of the stolen items exceeded $100.

Under a plea bargain with the government, co-defendant Iasoni pled guilty to receiving stolen property.

The remaining charges were dismissed. Iasoni admits that on Dec. 28, 2020 he took stolen items to a person in Vaitogi, knowing the items were stolen.

Charges against the pair stem from a break-in that occurred during the month of December in 2020 when the victim (homeowner) was at work.

When given the chance to address the court, Tavita apologized and begged for a second chance to return home to care for his wife, his four children and his whole family. He also apologized to his family, village, and church, but did not apologize to the victim.

Iasoni also apologized to the court, his family, and his parents. He, too, did not apologize to the victim. According to him, it was his carelessness and stupidity that pushed him to break the law, and it has cost him many months of his life. He said if given a second chance, he would never appear in court again.

The defense attorney asked the court to grant his clients another chance, saying Tavita and Iasoni are both young and have a lot to learn in life. He asked for a probated sentence without any additional period of detention.

The government’s attorney echoed the motion for a probated sentence, saying that despite being convicted of a felony, both defendants are good candidates for probation.

In delivering its decision, the court noted that both defendants are first time offenders; they fully cooperated with the government during the investigation; and they are young and truly remorseful for what they did.

Reading from the Pre-Sentence Report, the court pointed out that the motivation behind the defendants’ actions was the intention to sell the stolen items so they could go out and buy beer for themselves and their friends.

The court sentenced Tavita and Iasoni each to 5 years probation, subject to certain conditions. They are to serve 20 months at the TCF; however, they only have to serve 15 months (the remaining 5 months is stayed, based on their compliance with conditions of probation). This means Tavita and Iasoni will be released in three weeks time.

While on probation, the two are ordered to remain alcohol and drug free, be law abiding, and seek and gainful employment to pay their fine of $1,000 and restitution each of $793.