Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two of the three defendants charged in connection with the alleged beating of another inmate inside TCF last November are prepared to enter into an agreement with the government.

Reggie Va’avale and Asofa Titio appeared in High Court this week for their pretrial conference; however, when their cases were called, attorneys from both sides informed the court that they have reached an agreement but they need to file all the paperwork with the court.

Assistant Public Defender, Rob McNeill who appeared on behalf of Va’avale and Titio confirmed that they have received discovery and an offer from the government, and they will sign all the documents within a week.

Va’avale and Titio, along with co-defendant Manu Lefatia are each charged with 2nd degree assault and felonious restraint, both class D felonies, punishable by imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. They are also each charged with 3rd degree assault, a class A misdemeanor.

The government claims that the trio allegedly assaulted inmate Nick Mataia on Oct. 20, 2018 by punching him in the face, and then kicking him while he was down. The government further claims that Lefatia used a chain to punch Mataia’s mouth and later strangled him with it until he was unconscious.

Mataia was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to a swelling on the left side of his brain.

Mataia, is one of the three defendants charged in the alleged rape of two 14-year-old girls.

Va’avale and Titio are scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 20 for a Change of Plea hearing. Co-defendant Lefatia, who is represented by private attorney Marcellus T. Uiagalelei, is scheduled to appear next Friday for his pretrial conference.