Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 40-year-old man accused of assisting two males who burglarized and stole from a home on the westside has entered into a plea agreement with the government.

Malua Fata was originally charged with one count of stealing, a class C felony, punishable by imprisonment term of up to 7 years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both. However, in a plea agreement with the government, Fata pled guilty to the amended count of conspiracy to commit stealing, a class D felony, punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

Fata admits that on Feb. 14, 2020 he assisted two men who stole from a home in Tafuna by using his vehicle to transport the stolen items and delivering them to his home in Ottoville in an effort to conceal it from everyone, including the police.

He further admits that he parked his taxi in front of the home, pretending he was waiting for a passenger. Instead, he was the lookout for the two men who were in the house, stealing.

The government recommended that Fata be ordered to pay $752 restitution. Fata, who is out on a $5,000 surety bond, will be sentenced this month.