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Meth defendant sentenced for resisting arrest

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ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 26-year-old man who is on probation was sentenced to 165 days at the TCF for resisting arrest.

According to court records, Iakopo Talalelei put up a struggle when officers tried to handcuff him. He appeared in court last week for sentencing.

When given the chance to speak, Talalelei apologized and asked for a second chance to return home and care for his elderly mother. He said he’s truly remorseful and he will not appear in court again.

Attorneys from both sides recommended probation, under the condition that Talalelei is sentenced to time served, which is 165 days. The court accepted the recommendation.

Talalelei is still in custody however, pursuant to an OSC (Order to Show Cause) from the High Court, for failing to comply with conditions of his 5-year probation, which was handed down earlier this year after he was convicted of unlawful possession of meth.

VALAAU FIAILOA

A 26-year-old man from Petesa accused of burglarizing a store in Tafuna and taking off with several items has admitted to the allegations against him.

Valaau Fiailoa, who has been in custody since his arrest, unable to post a $10,000 surety bond appeared in High Court last week for a Change of Plea hearing.

Faailoa was initially charged with stealing and first degree burglary, both class C felonies, punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. But under a plea agreement with the government, accepted by the court, Fiailoa pled guilty to the amended count of conspiracy to commit stealing, a class D felony, punishable by a jail term of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

Fiailoa admits that on June 12, 2019 he unlawfully entered an Asian store in Tafuna with two co-defendants, and while in the store, they stole 2 cartons of cigarettes; 2 cases of corned beef; a case of beer and other items, along with the small bottle containing coins totaling $425.

According to terms of the plea agreement, Fiailoa assisted his two co-defendants by helping them steal the items and then using his truck to transport the stolen goods to his home, where he later sold the cartons of cigarettes to another man for $100. As part of the plea agreement, the government is recommending to the court to order Fiailoa to pay $641 restitution. Fiailoa is remanded back to custody. He will be sentenced March 19th.