Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 23-year-old man from Kokoland accused of burglarizing a store in Tafuna and taking off with several items has admitted to the allegations against him.

Tala’ave Aviata, who has been in custody since his arrest, unable to post a $10,000 surety bond appeared in High Court two weeks ago for a Change of Plea hearing. He is represented by Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson, while prosecuting is Assistant Attorney General Kristine Soule.

Aviata was initially charged with stealing and first degree burglary, both class C felonies, punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

However, under a plea agreement, accepted by the court, Aviata agreed to plead guilty to the amended count of conspiracy to commit stealing, a class D felony, punishable by a jail term of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

With his guilty plea, Aviata admits that on Feb. 24, 2020 he unlawfully entered a store in Petesa with a juvenile, and while in the store, they stole 4 cartons of cigarettes and two cases of corned beef, along with the small bottle containing coins totaling $232.

According to terms of the plea agreement, Aviata assisted the two juveniles by helping them steal items and then using his truck to transport the stolen goods to his home, where he later sold the 12 cartons of cigarettes to another man for $150.

As part of the plea agreement, the government is recommending that Aviata pay $232 restitution. Sentencing is June 19th and Aviata was remanded back into custody.