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Probationer lands back in jail

TCF Territorial Correctional Facility sign
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Palesoo Tevaga, a probationer convicted of public peace disturbance, has been sentenced to 10 days in jail.

“This is how things work out in this courtroom,” the court said.

“Once you violate a condition of your probation, we’re no longer talking about counseling; we’re talking about jail terms, and that’s what you get for disobeying the court’s order.”

“So, if you want to try the court again, go ahead because your next conviction will be higher than this one,” the court warned the defendant.

Tevvaga was placed on probation for 6 months following a public peace disturbance conviction at the beginning of this year. One of the many conditions of probation required him to maintain the peace with his girlfriend and remain law abiding.

However, Tevaga — while on probation — was re-arrested and charged for yet another public peace disturbance, for which he was convicted yesterday. He will have to spend 5 weekends at the TCF to fulfill his 10-day detention sentence.

Tevaga apologized to the court for his actions and begged for one more chance so he can continue his care for his parents and his family. He told the court he has learned his lesson, that breaking the law is not a good thing, and prison is not a good place to be.