Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A young man convicted of another crime while still on probation was ordered to serve his period of detention that had been suspended at the beginning of this year, which was 38 days at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF).

Daniel Fifita appeared in District Court last week for two separate hearings — a pretrial conference for his new case and disposition hearing for his previous case.

Court records show that while Fifita was on 6 months probation from a PPD conviction at the beginning of the year, he was arrested by police in February on another criminal charge, this time with trespass, 3rd-degree assault and 3rd-degree property damage.

When Fifita’s case was called, his defense attorney, Bob Stuart informed the court that they had reached an agreement with the government on his new case.

According to terms of the plea agreement, Fifita would pled guilty to 3rd degree property damage and both parties recommended probation on the condition that Fifita pay restitution in the amount of $760 for damaging the victim’s property.

Furthermore, both parties also recommended to the court not to revoke Fifita’s probation, but instead to modify it.

Facts of the case show that around February of this year, Fifita went to the victim’s home uninvited and damaged his property including a glass door to the house, a weed-eater; the door to the house and screen-wire on 3 windows, which cost $760.

In delivering its decision, the court reminded Fifita that when he appeared in court for sentencing on his previous matter, the court suspended his period of detention of 38 days. The court then revoked his probation and ordered him to serve the 38 days at the TCF.

In the new matter, the court sentenced him to 6 months probation under the conditions that he pay restitution in the amount of $760 and that he serve 45 days at the TCF. He was credited for the two months he served at TCF while awaiting the outcome of his case.

Since Fifita had served more time than the period of detention the court ordered him to serve, he was released from custody after sentencing.

Fifita was also reminded that the court wants to see that he has paid half of his restitution when he appears in court on Aug. 21st for a probation review hearing.

Furthermore, the court ordered Fifita to attend anger management, be law abiding and look for a job to pay his restitution.

The victim, who was in court during Fifita’s court proceeding hugged the defendant outside of the court room. According to the government’s case, the victim is the defendant’s uncle.