Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 40-year-old man from Iliili was arrested by cops last month on the allegation that he assaulted his wife while he was under the influence of alcohol.

The wife was present with noticeable bruises on her right eye when her husband made his initial appearance in District Court. The man denied the charges of public peace disturbance (PPD) and third degree assault against him.

The government claims that the defendant came home drunk and assaulted his wife by throwing multiple punches at her face.

(Samoa News understands that the victim has informed prosecutors that she wants her husband to return home.)

The court released the man on his own recognizance subject to the following conditions: He has to remain law abiding, remain drug and alcohol free, and maintain the peace within his family at all times.

“The only reason why you are allowed to go back home is because your wife has asked the government and the court to allow you to return home,” said the judge. “But, if you violate any of these conditions, no matter how hard your wife asks the court to release you back home, you will be locked up at the TCF or ordered to find another place to stay until this matter is resolved. Do you understand?”

“So, it's up to you now, whether you want to obey the court,” the judge concluded.

DRUG CASES

Lesi Upuese made his initial appearance in Court last month after a car chase that led officers to discover a cache of drugs in his pocket and more in the vehicle he was driving.

He is charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine (meth); one count of unlawful possession of meth with intent to distribute; one count of unlawful possession of marijuana (weed) — all felonies.

Bail is $20,000 and the preliminary examination (PX) is scheduled for next week.

According to the government’s case, on Mar. 7, two officers who were patrolling on the westside received a call about a vehicle pursuit in the Futiga area. The vehicle had turned left into Taputimu and continued on to a dirt road. Officers approached the vehicle that was parked on the side of the dirt road, and that’s when the black truck backed up and almost hit the police unit.

The truck then sped away and a police unit pursued it until they came to a dead end. That’s when a male exited the truck and fled on foot towards a plantation. Four cops chased down the male and later heard someone say, “Please, don’t shoot.”

It was the driver, hiding in the bushes, he had both hands up. During a body search, police found a bag containing 4 cut-up straws with a white crystalline substance and cash. The man was later identified as Lesi Upuese, the defendant in this case.

On their way back to his vehicle, Upuese allegedly told police he had “some illegal stuff” inside his vehicle as well.

A search of the truck netted a black bag that held a container with several medium baggies. One baggie had five cut-up straws containing a white crystalline substance while another contained two marijuana joints. Police also found drug paraphernalia during a more thorough search of the vehicle

The vehicle had no license plates and there was no key in the ignition, so it was left at the scene.

When questioned, Upuese told police that everything found in the vehicle belonged to the owner of the vehicle. He further told police that he borrowed his friend’s vehicle to pick up his crops from his plantation. The white crystalline substance and the green leafy substance found in the search, tested positive for meth and for THC, the active ingredient marijuana, respectively.

FALETASI IAKOPO

A man from Samoa who pled guilty to meth possession is ordered to serve 20 months at the TCF as a condition of his 5-year probation.

Faletasi Iakopo appeared in Court last month for sentencing. He has been in custody since his arrest in February 2021, unable to post a $10,000 surety bond.

Iakopo was initially charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth; and one court of unlawful possession of weed — both felonies punishable by imprisonment of 5-10 years, a fine between $5,000- $20,000 or both.

Under a plea agreement accepted by the Court two months ago, Iakopo pled guilty to the amended charge of unlawful possession of meth, a class D felony punishable by up to 5 years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

Iakopo admits that on Feb. 21, 2021 he had on him drugs and paraphernalia when police pulled over his vehicle for a traffic violation.

When given the chance to speak, Iakopo apologized and begged for a second chance so he can return home and care for his wife and kids. He told the court that his eldest son left for school last month, leaving his wife and their 5 young kids at home.

With tears in his eyes, Iakopo said he’s remorseful and knows his kids really need him home.

The defense attorney asked the court to adopt Probation’s recommendation in the Pre Sentence Report (PSR), and sentence Iakopo to probation. He said Iakopo is a first-time offender, and the drugs found on him were for personal use. The prosecutor echoed the defense submission.

According to the court, Iakopo was pulled over because the light on his license plate was not on, and his turn signal wasn't flashing when he turned onto Ithe liili Road on the night of the incident.

Iakopo didn't have any form of identification on him, including a driver’s license. While speaking to Iakopo, an officer noticed a cut-up straw "commonly used to scoop meth” on the back seat of the vehicle.

Subsequently, the vehicle was impounded to the TPS. An inventory of the vehicle netted a stamp-sized baggie with a small amount of a crystalline substance, which later tested positive for meth, on the floor behind the driver's seat.

Iakopo was searched, and police discovered a stamp-sized baggie containing a crystalline substance inside his left pants pocket. In his right pocket, police found a glass pipe containing a crystalline substance which later tested positive for meth.

Iakopo admitted to police that he started smoking meth 3 months prior, because it “gives him a good time and strength to do his chores at home and his plantation."

Iakopo was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.

Execution of the sentence was suspended and he was placed on 5 years probation subject to several conditions.

He has to serve 20 months at the TCF, and was credited with the 13 months he has already served. Other conditions of probation require him to remain law abiding, be alcohol and drug free, and he is to pay a $1,000 fine.

MALAMA FILISI

A 35-year-old man from Taputimu, a repeat offender, appeared in court last month for another violation. Malama Filisi, who is on probation, was arrested last month on drug possession allegations. He made his initial appearance in District Court last month.

Bail is $5,000.

If he posts bond, Filisi is to pay an outstanding fine of $230, remain law abiding, not leave or attempt to leave the territory, and not make any direct or indirect contact with the government’s witnesses.

He is scheduled to appear in court next week for a preliminary examination (PX).

According to the government, Filisi’s vehicle was pulled over during a traffic stop on Mar. 15 in Nu’uuli. Cops claim they noticed movement in the vehicle as they approached.

The affidavit says Filisi looked nervous and his left hand was inside his pants pocket.

When officers asked what was inside his pocket, the defendant paused for a moment before saying, “my ice that I bought from a friend.”

Cops found during a body search of Filisi, a baggie containing a white crystalline substance that later tested positive for meth. Also inside his pocket was a glass pipe containing a white crystalline substance, which also tested positive for meth.

Filisi told police he had just bought the stuff from a friend, whose identity he did not reveal.