Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Thomas Siaumau has been ordered to serve the 90 days of his suspended sentence from 2017, after he admitted to the court that he violated conditions of his probation.

Siaumau, who is currently serving a 30-year sentence for shooting at a moving police vehicle on the night of Dec. 14, 2017 appeared in District Court yesterday morning for a preliminary hearing (PX) and an Order to Show Cause (OSC) hearing for violating conditions of probation.

Prosecuting the case is Assistant Attorney General Christy Dunn, while Assistant Public Defender Anna Whiles is representing Siaumau.

SIAUMAU’S PX

Siaumau waived his right to a PX, and his case has been bound over to High Court where he is scheduled to appear for arraignment tomorrow morning.

He is charged with one count of escape from confinement, a class D felony, punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

The government alleges that on July 3, 2019, Siaumau escaped from the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF).

OSC HEARING

Prosecutor Dunn asked the court to revoke Siaumau’s probation and order him to serve the suspended period of detention, for failing to comply with the court’s orders.

According to the government, Siaumau was sentenced in District Court on Oct. 2017 to a 12-month probation, after he was convicted of public peace disturbance.

Siaumau was ordered to remain law abiding. He was also ordered to serve 90 days at TCF; however, he was credited for the 1 day he served, and the remaining 89 days were deferred by the court, based on good behavior.

Two months later, on Dec. 14, 2017, Siaumau was accused of allegedly shooting at moving police unit (while a police officer was inside) and he was convicted by a jury earlier this year in March.

Dunn argued that it’s clear from court records that Siaumau was in violation of his probation within two months after he was sentenced in 2017. She then asked the court to revoke Siaumau’s probation and order him to serve the suspended period of his detention.

Whiles did not oppose the government’s motion to revoke her client’s probation, saying she spoke to Siaumau and he’s admitted to the violation.

Judge Elvis P. Patea revoked Siaumau’s 2017 probation and ordered him to serve the 90 days that was suspended by the court. He will be credited for the 1 day he served, and the remaining 89 days will run concurrent with his current sentence, which is 30 years.