Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A woman allegedly involved in the case where a Correctional Officer (C.O) at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) was arrested last week on the allegation that he helped to smuggle a large quantity of illegal drugs and cell phones into the TCF was arrested by DPS detectives this week pursuant to an arrest warrant from the court.

Josephine Siaumau made her initial appearance in District Court last week. She’s scheduled to appear in court this Friday for her preliminary examination (PX).

Siaumau is charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; and one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine; both felonies, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than five nor more than ten years and a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $20,000, or both.

Judge Elvis P. Patea set bail at $25,000.

THE CASE

The government claims that on Mar. 3, 2020, Deputy Commissioner, Falana’ipupu Taase Sagapolutele contacted a Police Detective from the DPS Criminal Investigating Division (CID) to investigate a case where a woman allegedly tried to smuggle drugs into the TCF with the help of a C.O.

Several police detectives responded to the call and meet up with officials at the TCF, along with the C.O, who is allegedly involved in this case.

Investigators interviewed the C.O — Ofisa Enoka Leifi Jr — who was later arrested regarding this matter. (See Samoa News story, March 10, 2020 for details of case.)

According to government’s case, C.O Leifi Jr. was on duty on the morning shift of Mar. 3, 2020 from 6a.m to 6p.m and was assigned to the Alpha Building. It was during this time, Leifi Jr. allegedly became involved with smuggling drugs into the TCF for an inmate. The drugs were allegedly delivered by the inmate’s girlfriend, Josephine Siaumau, inside a newspaper and handed to Leifi Jr. to give to the inmate.

A police lieutenant questioned C.O Leifi Jr. regarding what the co-defendant allegedly gave him as he was suspicious of Leifi Jr’s actions and asked him to empty his pockets. At this time, a pack of cigarettes taped with a clear adhesive tape and two cell phones were found. The pack of cigarettes was unwrapped and a small zip lock baggie was found allegedly containing what appeared to be crystalline substances. The white crystalline substance was later tested by a police detective and was found positive for methamphetamine.

C.O Leifi Jr. confirmed to investigators that Josephine Siaumau also allegedly gave him contraband three weeks ago and was the same woman that he helped this time around to smuggle in items to the inmate.