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Man sentenced for meth possession, but there was no meth found in the pipe

American Samoa High Court building
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Danny Mika was sentenced by the High Court to 5 years probation after he was convicted of unlawful possession of methamphetamine. As a condition of his probation, he was ordered to serve a period of detention of 20 months, minus the 106 days Mika served before he posted bond.

Mika, appeared in High Court last week for sentencing. When given a chance to address the court, he apologized for his actions and asked for a second chance to continue with his care for his family. He told the court that he is truly remorseful and he takes full responsibility for his actions.

His defense attorney, Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson asked the court for a probated sentencing without any additional term of detention, pointing to the days his client had already served. He asked the court to allow his client to continue with his employment to provide for his family.

The government’s attorney, Laura Garvey echoed the defense’s submission and told the court that the defendant is a suitable candidate for a probated sentence. She further stated to the court that the defendant has learned his lesson from what happened.

The court agreed and sentenced the defendant to a term of imprisonment of 5 years and a $2,000 fine. Mika is placed on probation for 5 years subject to several conditions, including paying his fine and serving a period of detention of 20 months, which is reduced to 106 days for time already served — with the balance of 90 days suspended, in order for the defendant to seek and secure gainful employment.

Mika will be subject to random drug & alcohol testing to make sure he is in compliance with conditions of his probation.

Co-defendant, Acuna Leomilo’s case is still pending in High Court.

BACKGROUND

Mika, along with another man, Acuna Leomilo (co-defendant) was arrested on the early morning of July 4th, 2020 after police spotted their vehicle with no license plate light. When police approached the vehicle, empty beer cans were observed inside, along with three people, the driver and two passengers. The two passengers were Mika and Leomilo.

According to the court affidavit, Mika was asked to step out of the vehicle when a police officer observed him constantly touching his shorts’ pockets, and the officer felt unsafe. A plastic baggie containing a glass tube (glass pipe) and prescription glasses. The glass pipe found in Mika’s possession was clean, no residue was found inside. He was later released pending further investigation.

One month later, Mika was arrested and charged.