Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The man from Pago Pago convicted of burglarizing his aunty’s home and trading most of the stolen jewelry and “other stuff” for methamphetamine at a place called “Le Aute” was released from the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) last week.

Faiaoga Satele, a.k.a Fred Satele, who has been in custody since his arrest, unable to post his $15,000 appeared before Chief Justice Michael Kruse last week for sentencing.

Under the plea agreement with the government, accepted by the court, Satele pled guilty to the amended count of conspiracy to commit stealing, a class D felony, punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

When given the chance to address the court, Satele firstly apologized to the court and to his aunty and family, who are the victims in this case, and he asked for forgiveness.

Satele told the court that sleeping in a jail cell for seven and a half months taught him that breaking the law is not a good thing. While in jail, he said he promised himself and God that he would not go back to his old life but pursue every opportunity to seek a good future for him and his family.

“What I did to my aunty was not a good thing, but I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to go to prison so that I can learn a good lesson for life. While I was in jail, God opened my eyes and showed me the path that I should walk. Your honor, I’m truly remorseful for my actions, and I ask for a second chance so that I can go back home to care for my Dad, my family, especially my little girl,” Satele said.

Defense attorney, Rob McNeill told the court that his client is thankful because he found God while in the (TCF). He wants to go back home to use the remaining days of his life to serve God, his family and village.

McNeill asked the court for a probated sentence without any additional period of detention. Prosecutor, Laura Garvey echoed the defense’s submission and asked the court to adopt the recommendation provided in the Pre Sentence Report (PSR).

After a brief recess, the court said that after reviewing submissions from both parties, the PRS and the defendant’s statement, the court agreed that the defendant is a suitable candidate for a probated sentence.

Satele was sentenced to serve 5 years imprisonment at the TCF and pay a fine of $5,000. Execution of the sentence was suspended and Satele was placed on probation for 5 years subject to several conditions, including serving a period of detention of 20 months at the TCF.

He is credited for the seven and a half months he served during his pretrial detention. The balance of detention would be stayed for a period of 90 days, and during that time Satele is ordered to seek and secure gainful employment to pay his restitution.

If Satele is unable to secure gainful employment within the period of 90 days, the court ordered him to report back to the TCF to serve the remaining balance of his detention.

The court advised the defendant that gainful employment does not include family farming, but he needs to seek employment where he can get a paycheck. The court told the defendant that a good place to seek gainful employment is the cannery where they are currently hiring people.

The court also ordered Satele not to consume alcohol or possess illegal drugs and to submit himself for random testing to make sure he’s in compliance with the stay clean conditions.

“Mr. Satele, the chance is yours, so prove to this court that you’re a born-again person,” the court said.

Associate Judge Faamausili Pomele and Muasau T. Tofili assisted Kruse on the bench.

BACKGROUND

Satele had been held in custody since his arrest last year, unable to post a $15,000 surety bond. He was charged with one count of second degree burglary; and two counts of stealing, class C felonies, punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years, a $5,000 fine or pursuant to A.S.C.A 46.2101, a fine equal to twice the amount of gain from the commission of the crime, up to a maximum of $20,000, or both such fine and imprisonment for each count.

The matter surfaced after police received a complaint from the defendant’s aunty in Pago Pago, regarding her home being burglarized by unknown people while they were in Apia for vacation in July of last year.

Satele was picked up from his home in Pago and taken in for questioning. During the interview, he verbally admitted to the burglary, as well as trading most of the jewelry and other stuff at a place called, “Le Aute” for meth; while other items were given to his friend, Ta’ala Jr to sell online and to other acquaintances.

When asked about the missing 22., Satele denied taking the firearm, saying the photo of him on Facebook was with a rifle belonging to another person.

The government also alleges that illegal drugs were discovered on Satele when he was served a copy of the arrest warrant for the burglary case in September of last year.

The case against co-defendant, Anderson Ta’ala Jr, a.k.a A.J is now ready for trial.