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Man faces deportation after assault of a minor

American Samoa High Court building
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man convicted of assaulting his 17-year-old cousin with a piece of metal was ordered by the court to depart the territory and remain outside of its border as a condition of his 5 years probation.

Tauloma Samasoni, who has been in custody since his arrest in July of last year unable to post a $10,000 surety bond appeared in High Court last week for sentencing.

Samasoni, an overstayer, pled guilty to, a class D felony, punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

When given the chance to address the court, Samasoni apologized for his actions and begged for a second chance to return home to his wife and two young children.

He also apologized to the victim and his parents and begged for forgiveness.

His defense attorney asked the court for a probated sentenced without any additional period of detention, which was also echoed by the prosecutor.

The court sentenced the defendant to 5 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. Execution of sentence was suspended and the defendant was placed on probation for 5 years subject to several conditions.

He is to serve 20 months in jail and once released, Samasoni must immediately depart the territory and remain outside of its borders for the remaining period of his probation.

The court stated that based on the information provided by Probation, the defendant’s immigration ID expired two years before he was arrested by police last year..

He will be released to the Probation Office for transport to the port of exit once his detention is complete and travel arrangements are in place.

Furthermore, the court ordered that the certified copy of the Judgment and Sentence must serve upon the Chief Immigration Office or his assignee to make sure the defendant’s name is on their lookout list.