MAN WHO BROKE INTO FAIFEAU’S HOME JAILED

Mac Oti, who was arrested after he broke into the Methodist Church minister’s residence in Fagaitua and assaulted the pastor’s daughter while she was sleeping in her bedroom, has been jailed for 45 days.

Oti was charged with private peace disturbance, trespassing and third degree assault, however, in a plea agreement with the government the defendant pled guilty to third degree assault and trespassing and in return the government moved to dismiss the remaining charge.

During sentencing in this matter last week, Oti told the court that he went into the faifeau’s house because the daughter is his girlfriend and his visit ended in an argument. The defendant however admitted that he’s violated his probation from his previous case in January 2014, where he had been placed on probation for two years for public peace disturbance. Also in December 2014, Oti was convicted of another PPD case where he was again placed on two years probation.

Court records say that Oti was also convicted in 2011 and 2013 for misdemeanor charges of PPD.

Patea pointed out that this is the fifth time that Oti has appeared in court, and the court had been lenient with him before, by placing him on probation. He then sentenced Oti to 45 days in jail, deducting the 14 days he’s already served and he will continue serving jail time until the 45 days is complete.

According to the government’s case, the victim was shocked and woke up when she was allegedly assaulted. It’s alleged the victim went into her parent’s bedroom afterward and informed them as to what happened.

Court filings say that when police apprehended the defendant a strong odor of alcohol emitted from his breath. They also said the suspect’s speech was slurred, and he could not stand straight on his own.

DRUG DEFENDANT TO ENTER GUILTY PLEA THIS WEEK

One of two men arrested following a controlled buy in September 2013 has signed a plea agreement with the government. Tenari Laulu and his co-defendant, Mafo’e Semu are each charged with one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, marijuana.

The criminal charge is a felony which carries a sentence of not less than five and not more than ten years in jail. Semu is held on bail of $20,000 while Laulu’s bail is set at $40,000 and they are both represented by the Public Defender’s office.

Court filings say that it was an informant that tipped off police officers about an unknown male inquiring about the sale of marijuana. The informant gave police the cellphone number of the unknown male and a police officer then made contact with him.

A marked $10 dollar bill was given to the unknown man selling the drugs, who was later identified as Laulu. It's alleged the officer gave $10 to Laulu who then handed the money to Semu, and it was Laulu who allegedly gave the marijuana joint to the undercover cop.

Laulu then took off but other police officers were alerted to pull his vehicle over. When the cops attempted to pull him over before the stop sign in front of the Tafuna substation, Laulu allegedly kept driving and police officers saw something being thrown out of the vehicle, which finally came to a stop near the stadium.

After searching the area where the object had been discarded, cops found a ziploc bag containing five hand-rolled joints which tested positive for marijuana. After searching Laulu's vehicle, police allegedly found the marked money used in the controlled buy. Court filings state that during questioning, Semu informed police he saw Laulu throw out the ziploc baggie.