Ads by Google Ads by Google

Jail time for man who attempted to have sex with a 16-yr-old girl

Territorial Correctional Facility, TCF
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A young man who unlawfully entered a house at night and attempted to rape a 16-year-old girl back in Oct. 2017 was sentenced to 28 months in prison, as a condition of a 7-year probation term.

 Asopa’epa’e Alapati, 24, was initially charged with second-degree burglary and first degree sexual abuse, both class C felonies. However, under a plea agreement with the government, which was accepted by the court last month, Alapati pled guilty to second-degree burglary and the amended count of third degree attempted sexual abuse, a class A misdemeanor.

With his guilty plea, Alapati admits that on the night of Oct. 12, 2017, he unlawfully entered a home, and walked into a room where the 16-year-old victim was sleeping with the purpose of having sex with her.

The victim screamed when she felt someone touching her body, and this alerted her family and caused Alapati to flee, running as the victim's family chased him.

During sentencing, Alapati apologized for his actions and begged for a second chance to return home to care for his parents and his family.

 “I feel I made a mistake and I am truly remorseful for what I did," he said, adding that he wants another chance so he can change his life and be a better person.

Assistant Public Defender Rob McNeill said that after spending more than 19 months behind bars, his client has learned a lesson, and he needs to move on with his life.  He said Alapati has an alcohol problem that needs to be addressed.

Prosecutor Doug Lowe said the government believes Alapati is a suitable candidate for a probated sentence; however, he reminded the court that Alapati entered a room and tried to have sex with a 16-year-old, while she was asleep.

He pointed out that there were other children present in the room when Alapati entered.

The court told Alapati that if he wants to change his life, he needs to be alcohol and drug free.

Alapati was sentenced to 7 years for second-degree burglary and 1 year for third-degree attempted sexual abuse.

The jail terms will run concurrently, meaning at the same time. However, execution of the sentence is suspended and Alapati is placed on probation for 7 years, under the condition that he serve 28 months in jail without release, except for medical reasons or by an order of the court.

He is also to remain law abiding, be drug and alcohol free, and he is not to make any contact with the victim or her family.

By law, he must register as a sex offender.