Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A young mother with prior convictions for stealing and unlawful possession of illegal drugs is back in court, once again charged with stealing. This time, she’s accused of stealing money from her grandmother to buy meth for herself and her boyfriend.

Tafale Seulala who is on probation, was arrested and made her initial appearance in District Court two weeks ago. She is charged with one count of stealing, a class C felony along with one count of disturbing the private peace (PPD), inside her home.

Bail is set at $5,000.

If Seulala is able to post bond, the court has ordered that she remain law abiding, not leave or attempt to leave the territory, and she must surrender her travel documents to the government attorney. She is also not to make any direct or indirect contact with the government’s witnesses.

THE CASE

Seulala was arrested at a friend’s home in Petesa after her grandmother contacted police for help when she found out that her purse containing $330 cash that was locked inside her room was gone.

After Seulala was apprehended she was transported to the Tafuna Police Substation for questioning. During a body search, officers discovered a black purse in Seulala’s possession. When asked who owned the purse, Seulala replied, “It belongs to my grandmother.”

When questioned by police, Seulala admitted that she stole her grandmother’s purse containing cash and she used the money to buy food, clothes and meth for her and her boyfriend. She also told police she gave $100 to her boyfriend.

BACKGROUND

Seulala was convicted of felony stealing in February of 2015, and subsequently sentenced to 5 years probation under the condition that she serves 12 months. She was also ordered to pay a $500 fine within 6 months, and secure gainful employment.

One year later in February of 2016, Seulala was arrested for unlawful possession of methamphetamine (meth). She was originally arrested for disturbing the public peace (PPD), but during a pat down, a female officer discovered a glass pipe containing meth hidden inside her pants.

In July 2019, Seulala was convicted of unlawful possession of meth and sentenced to 5 years probation under the condition that she serves a period of detention of 20 months. The court also decided not to revoke Seulala’s probation from 2019 but ordered her to continue on probation.