Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man arrested during a public peace disturbance in the Tafuna area is now charged for violating local drug laws after police officers discovered illegal drugs in his possession during his arrest.

The government alleges that on May 12, 2022 around 5 p.m, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a woman requesting police assistance due to a fight that had occurred between two men outside a store parking lot in the Tafuna area. Several officers responded and met up with the caller who then briefed them about the incident.

As cops approached the caller, they observed three males talking in the back of a pickup truck parked in front of the restaurant in the Tafuna area. They also saw another male standing on the other side of the parking talking on the phone.

The next thing cops saw was the man who was speaking on the phone engage in a fight with one of the three males standing in the parking lot. The other two men attempted to stop the two who were fighting, but immediately left the scene when they saw a police unit approaching them.

Police officers approached the two men fighting, apprehended them and placed them in police units while officers continued to speak to the caller and other eyewitnesses about the alleged fight.

Before placing the two men inside police units, officers patted down the two men for weapons or contraband. Nothing was found on the first male but when officers patted down the other man, who was later identified as Peniamina Taupaolo, they discovered what appeared to be a rolled up brown paper bag with a green leafy substance inside one of his pockets.

Both Taupaolo and the other male were transported to the TPS for further investigation.

The incident involving Taupaolo was transferred to detectives of the Vice & Narcotic Unit, where detectives estimated the amount of green leafy substance found on the suspect was equivalent to several hand rolled joints. A ‘smoked’ hand rolled “joint” was also discovered in Taupaolo’s wallet.

Taupaolo was Mirandized, and refused to sign the statement indicating that he understood his rights, and also refused to make a statement regarding the matter.

The green leafy substance tested positive for THC, the active compound found inside marijuana.

The defendant made his initial appearance in Court last month.

He is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, to wit; marijuana, a felony punishable to 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.

Bail is set at $5,000.

FARANI LALOATA

A man who was charged with unlawful possession of a glass pipe containing meth after his vehicle was pulled over by police in September of 2021 has pled guilty in Court.

Farani Laloata, who has been in custody since his arrest, unable to post a $5,000 cash bond, appeared in Court last week for a Change of Plea hearing.

Laloata was originally charged with one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, meth, a felony punishable by not less than five or more than ten years in jail, and a fine of not less than $5,000 or more than $20,000, or both.

In a plea agreement with the government last month, Laloata pled guilty to unlawful possession of meth. With his guilty plea, Laloata admits that on Sept. 21, 2021 he unlawfully possessed a glass pipe, which contained meth.

Laloata was reported to police on the morning of Sept. 11, when a man called the TPS to report that a male driver had approached him in a friendly manner, to ask him if he wanted to buy “dope” from him (driver).

The male driver was later identifed as Laloata, the defendant in this matter.

The caller was uncomfortable and told Laloata he didn’t smoke dope and he doesn’t want people involved in drugs to come close to him. The caller contacted the TPS and alerted them about the situation, including all the information regarding Laloata and his vehicle.

Not long afterwards, police located a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle the caller provided and immediately pulled it over. After a brief conversation with police, Laloata agreed to a body search and a search of his vehicle. That's when a glass pipe containing meth was discovered inside the left pocket of Laloata’s pants.

The white crystalline substance inside the glass pipe tested positive for meth.

Sentencing is scheduled for next month.

VISESIO TEVAGA

Visesio Tevaga was arrested and charged last month after police allegedly found drugs and drug paraphernalia inside his vehicle during a traffic stop for speeding on the early morning of May 10.

The driver identified himself as Visesio Tevaga, the defendant in this case and was with his girlfriend.

Before officers explained to Tevaga the reason for the stop, the defendant quickly told officers that he forgot his driver’s license at home but it’s still valid. He also told officers that his immigration ID is also still valid but he doesn’t know where he put it.

Tevaga was informed that his vehicle would be impounded at the TPS because he did not have a driver’s license and he would need to come to the TPS for an interview.

Before Tevaga was transported to the TPS, officers conducted a body search, where they found two cut up straws containing a white crystalline substance inside his left rear pocket. Nothing was found inside the vehicle when officers conducted an inventory search.

When asked about the drugs, Tevaga admitted to police that the meth found inside the two cut up straws belonged to him. He told officers that he only uses meth occasionally. Tevaga apologized to officers for his actions and begged them for a second chance.

Two hours later, Tevaga’s mother arrived at the TPS with the defendant’s driver’s license and his immigration ID.

The white crystalline substance found inside the two cut up straws tested positive for meth.

Tevaga made his initial appearance in court last month. He later waived his right to a preliminary examination and his case has been bound over to High Court.

Tevaga, 30, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth, a felony punishable by imprisonment of 5-10 years, a fine between $5,000- $20,000 or both.

Bail is set at $5,000.

SITIVI MALIKO

The man who is accused of giving two minors marijuana to sell for him last year has asked the Court to set his case for jury trial. The trial is now set for 2024.

Sitivi Maliko appeared in court last week for his pretrial conference.

When Maliko’s case was called, his attorney informed the court that they had received all the discovery from the government along with an offer for a plea agreement, however, after speaking with his client regarding the facts of the case, his client has maintained his not guilty plea.

The court informed the defense attorney that there is also the option of a bench trial for his client, due to the fact that all jury trials are still on hold due to the COVID-19 restrictions from the American Samoa Government (ASG).

Maliko is still in custody awaiting his jury trial to be held in 2024, unable to post a surety bond of $10,000.

BACKGROUND

Two minors caught smoking marijuana at the back of a store led to the arrest of Maliko after the two minors told investigators he gave them marijuana to sell.

He’s being charged with one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, to wit; marijuana with the intent to distribute, a felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than ten years, or a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $20,000, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to one year, and a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Detectives of the DPS Vice & Narcotics Unit received a call from the owner of a store in Malaeimi alleging that two male juveniles were caught by the store employee smoking marijuana at the back of his store.

When questioned by responding detectives, the juveniles told police who gave them the joints, which led to Sitivi Maliko being identified as their supplier — exchanging joints as payment for them selling joints.