Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 25-year-old man from Tafuna accused of burglarizing a store in Happy Valley in the Tafuna area and taking off with several items has admitted to the allegations against him.

Jerry Uputaua, 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.

Uputaua 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.

However, under a plea agreement with the government, accepted by the court, Uputaua agreed to plead 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.

With his guilty plea, Uputaua admits that on Sept. 22, 2020 he unlawfully entered a store in Happy Valley with a juvenile, and while in the store, they stole several items totaling $670

According to terms of the plea agreement, Uputaua assisted the two juveniles by helping them steal items and then using his truck to transport the stolen goods to his home, where he later sold other stolen items to a man for $100.

As part of the plea agreement, the government is recommending to the court that Uputaua pay $670 restitution. Sentencing is next month and Uputaua was remanded back into custody.

FILISI TAMAFILI

A man accused of stealing merchandise and money from his former employer has admitted to one of the charges against him, under a plea agreement.

Filisi Tamafili, who was released on a $10,000 surety bond, appeared in court last week for a Change of Plea hearing.

He was initially charged with stealing and first-degree burglary, both class C felonies; along with trespass and third degree property damage, both class A misdemeanors.

However, under a plea agreement accepted by the court last week, Tamafili pled guilty to one count of stealing, a class C felony, punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

With his guilty plea, Tamafili admits that on July 30, 2020 around 2:30 a.m, he forced his way into a store in Tafuna by breaking the back window to gain entry into the store.

While inside, he stole merchandise valued at more than $100, along with a glass bottle/ jar which was hidden under the owner’s desk, containing $126.75 in cash and coins.

As a condition of the plea agreement, the government is asking for a probated sentence with the condition that Tamafili pay restitution of $1,739.05 to his former employer.

Sentencing is scheduled for next month.

ALFEA LAUPOLA

A 45-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.

Alefa Laupola 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, Laupola 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.

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

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

The government recommends that Laupola be ordered to pay $952 restitution. Laupola, who is out on a $5,000 surety bond, will be sentenced next month.