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Man finds that receiving stolen goods as much a crime as the original theft

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ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 42-year-old man accused of receiving stolen goods has admitted to the allegations against him.

Siaosi Kamuta, a taxi driver who has been in custody since his arrest last year, appeared in court last week for a Change of Plea hearing.

He was initially charged with stealing and first-degree burglary, both felonies. But under a plea agreement with the government — accepted by the court — Kamuta pled guilty to an amended count of receiving stolen property, a class D felony, punishable by up to 5 years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

With his guilty plea, Kamuta admits that on May 25, 2020 he accepted two cases of beer and several cans of food from Allan Toso, knowing that the goods were stolen from a store in Tafuna.

According to terms of the plea agreement, on the night of the incident, Kamuta used his taxi to transport Toso and the stolen goods to a Tafuna home.

The government has recommended a probated sentence and restitution of $245.

Kamuta is scheduled for sentencing next month.

ALIVA SOOLEVA

Meanwhile, the High Court has given a taxi driver 5 months to pay his $1,000 fine in full, or he will be found in contempt of court for failure to comply with conditions of his 2017 probation.

Aliva Sooleva appeared in court last week for a Probation Review.

According to a Probation report, Sooleva is doing well. He has attended alcohol counseling as ordered, and paid full restitution of $355.72

For his $1,000 fine however, he has only paid $125

Sooleva’s probation will expire in March of next year.

When asked by the court why he hasn’t paid off his fine, Sooleva said he has a lot of personal obligations, including family fa’alavelaves and bills.

The court reminded Leva’a that the remaining period of his detention was stayed after he served only 6 months so he could find a job to pay his fine and restitution.

Sooleva apologized to the court and said he and Probation have agreed that he will make payments of $150 a month.

The court reminded Sooleva that that agreement is not binding with the court. Once the court orders him to pay a fine, he has to comply. Sooleva has 5 months to pay the fine; if not, he will be held in contempt.

MARK ASA

And a 40-year-old man accused of operating a vehicle while his license was suspended following a DUI conviction has admitted that the allegation against him is true.

Mark Asa, who is out on a $500 surety bond, appeared in High Court this past week for a Change of Plea hearing.

Asa, a farmer from Pava’ia’i was initially charged with felony driving while his license was suspended, a class D felony, punishable by imprisonment from 90 days up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both; and two traffic citations, careless and reckless driving.

However, in a plea agreement with the government, Asa pled guilty to felony driving while his license was suspended. With his guilty plea, Asa admits that on Nov. 13, 2020, he knowingly operated a pick-up on the public highway, while his license was suspended by the court for 6 months.

Asa’s vehicle was pulled over by police during a traffic stop in Nu’uuli on the day in question, because the license plates on the front and back of the vehicle didn't match.

When questioned by police, Asa said he didn't know who changed the license plates on his vehicle. He also told police his driver's license was expired. A few moments later, Asa changed his story, and this time, he apologized to police, saying he had disobeyed the law by operating his vehicle while his license is suspended.

Asa begged the officers to release him because his wife and four young children depend on him and his plantation for food and money. He said he was delivering his vegetables to several Asian stores around the area to get money to care for his family and elderly father.

When the court asked Asa if he understood that he was not allowed to drive a vehicle for 6 months because his license was suspended, the defendant said yes.

Asa is scheduled to appear in next month for sentencing.