Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 39-year-old man from Futiga convicted of stealing a vehicle from his uncle and selling it to a friend in Iliili was sentenced by the High Court two weeks ago to time served. According to court records, Maele Ulai served 15 and 1/2 months at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) while awaiting the outcome of this matter.

Ulai was originally charged with stealing and fraud, both class C felonies, punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years, a $5,000 fine or pursuant to A.S.C.A 46.2101, a fine equal to twice the amount of gain from the commission of said crime, up to a maximum of $20,000, or both such fine and imprisonment for each count.

Under a plea agreement with the government, Ulai pled guilty to stealing. He admits that on Oct 2, 2019 he stole a vehicle belonging to another man and sold it for $850.

When asked who owned the vehicle, the defendant replied that the vehicle belonged to his uncle and he borrowed the vehicle for one month to transport his crops to the Fagatogo market. However, everything changed when he needed money to buy parts for his vehicle at the mechanic shop, that’s when he decided to sell his uncle’s vehicle to his friend from Iliili and use the money to buy the parts for his vehicle.

Ulai was still in custody unable to post his $5,000 bond after he was arrested until last month when he appeared for his Change of Plea hearing, However, the court granted Ulai’s attorney’s motion to release him on his own recognizance after the court accepted the plea agreement.

When Ulai appeared in court two weeks ago for sentencing, his attorney asked for a probated sentence without any additional period of detention. The government’s attorney did not oppose.

The court agreed and sentenced the defendant to time served, which was 15 and ½ months. The court did not order any restitution.

According to the court, the Probation Office was unable to locate other parties involved in this case.