Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 42-year-old man who was picked up pursuant to an arrest warrant from the court, on the allegation that he unlawfully entered the home of another family and stole several items including three big fine mats and 2 laptops, is now charged with unlawful possession of drugs.

The government has filed two separate criminal cases against Agasii Taavili, who is not new to the court system and made his initial appearance in District Court last week.

In the first case, Taavili is charged with stealing and second degree burglary, both class C felonies, punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years, a $5,000 fine or, pursuant to A.S.C.A 46.2101, a fine equal to twice the amount of gain from the commission of said crime, up to a maximum of $20,000, or both such fine and imprisonment.

In the second case, he is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of methamphetamine - both felonies. Bond is set at $25,000.

Taavili’s attorney asked to reduce bail to $5,000 surety for both cases; but prosecutor Laura Garvey argued that Taavili is not new to the court system, and his actions in these two cases show the type of person he is. She then asked that bail be maintained in both cases and the court agreed.

Preliminary examination is Friday, Feb. 7th.

THE CASE

On Dec. 18th, 2019, a couple reported to police that their Tafuna home was burglarized by an unknown person, and a lot of personal belongings were stolen. A week later, a woman who claimed to be Taavilii’s aunt notified police about some stolen items that were brought into their home by her nephew, the defendant.

Police spoke to a male who said it was Taavilii who broke into the couple’s home on Dec. 17th and took off with personal items.

Taavili was picked up at his Mapusagafou home and taken in for questioning. He allegedly admitted to investigators that he broke into the couple’s home and took a number of things on the night of Dec. 17th. He further stated that some of the items he stole were sold to a man at “Le Filifili” in exchange for drugs, while others were given away for free to some of his friends.

Taavili was released after the interview, because he promised he would provide the names of the people he sold the stolen items to, within a week. Four weeks passed, and cops were unable to locate Taavili on his cellphone. Cops then visited Taavili’s home and workplace in an effort to locate him but were unsuccessful.

On the night of Jan.17th, police were on their way to execute an arrest warrant for Taavili when they spotted him riding in a truck with two other men. The vehicle was pulled over and Taavili was instructed to go to the Tafuna substation for questioning. During a pat down, 3 clear baggies containing a white crystalline substance which later tested positive for meth, fell from the right side of his shorts.

Police also found two hand rolled joints which later tested positive for marijuana, inside his pant pocket.

Taavili signed the arrest warrant for the burglary case but refused to make a statement regarding the drugs. He told police to go ahead with whatever they found on him, and that he understood what he did but didn’t want to talk anymore about it.

When asked about the items he allegedly stole from the couple’s home, Taavili said he gave most of them to a man named WILL and he’s still waiting for WILL to give him drugs in return.