Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 27-year-old father who was convicted in June of this year of violating local drug laws will have to serve 180 days at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) as a condition of his 5-year probation.

Ronald Alexander Pickering III, who was out on a $5,000 cash bond, appeared in court yesterday morning for sentencing. He was represented by Assistant Public Defender Rob McNeill, while prosecuting was Assistant Attorney General Christy Dunn.

Pickering was initially charged with one court of unlawful possession of meth, punishable by a jail term of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $20,000 or both.

But under a plea agreement with the government, accepted by the court, Pickering pled guilty to the amended count of unlawful possession of meth, a class D felony, punishable by 5 years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

Pickering admits that on Dec.13, 2018 he had on him a glass pipe containing meth when cops searched him. McNeill told the court that the case against his client is a “pipe case”, because cops discovered a glass pipe on him when they stopped his vehicle.

“Nothing else was discovered inside my client’s vehicle or on him. It was just a single glass pipe for personal use,” McNeill said, adding that Pickering is truly remorseful and he takes full responsibility for what happened.

According to McNeill, Pickering works hard to care for his family, especially his wife and their child, and he has remained clean since he tested positive for meth earlier this year in February.

He said that according to his client, he started using drugs in 2015, and he continued using until he was caught by police during a traffic stop.

The defense attorney asked for leniency, so Pickering can continue to work to support his wife and kid. He asked the court to consider Pickering’s early admission to the charge against him.

Pickering apologized and said he doesn’t want to go to jail. He asked for probation so he can travel off island to visit his parents. Kruse responded, “You can’t go off island to see your parents while you’re on probation.”

Kruse said Pickering’s drug use not only ruined his life, but also he lives of those who depend on him: his wife and child. He said there is no solution for personal use.

According to the court, the defendant was not clean after he was arrested last year. While released on his own recognizance, Pickering tested positive for meth. His $2,000 cash bond was forfeited and a new cash bond of $5,000 was issued.

Pickering was stopped for a seatbelt violation and was taken into custody when he couldn’t produce a valid ID. Kruse said the defendant is not new to the system. Based on court records, Pickering was convicted of a DUI a few years back.

Kruse said Pickering has a drug problem, and the court ordered him to stay clean after he was caught with a glass pipe; but he returned to his normal routine and went back to drugs.

Pickering was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and a $2,000 fine. Execution of jail time is suspended, and he is placed on probation for 5 years subject to several conditions. He has to serve 20 months at the TCF: 180 days first, and the balance shall be served by further order of the court.

He is to remain alcohol and drug free, and he is subject to random testing.

“Mr. Pickering, the court wants you to understand that probation doesn’t mean you can leave the island to see your family. If you attempt to leave the island, you will be ordered to serve the full 5 years at TCF,” Kruse said.