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Woman charged in 3 separate cases pleads guilty to burglary and stealing

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Remaining charges of forgery, stealing, and meth possession are dismissed
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 32-year-old woman charged in 3 separate criminal cases, including one where she is accused of unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, entered into a plea agreement yesterday morning.

Fiona Tagiese who has been in custody since her arrest last October, unable to post a $10,000 bond, appeared in High Court this week for a Change of Plea (COP) hearing.

In the first case, she was charged with forgery and stealing. In the second case, Tagiese was charged with second degree burglary and stealing — both class C felonies — and trespass, a class A misdemeanor. And in the third case, she was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine; and unlawful possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

But under a plea agreement, Tagiese pled guilty to second degree burglary and stealing in the second case — both class C felonies, punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years, a fine of not more than $5,000 or both.

She admits that on Mar. 12, 2019 she unlawfully entered a home and stole a computer and laptop that were on the table, valued at more than $100. Upon the court's acceptance of Tagiese’s guilty pleas, the government moved to dismiss the two remaining cases against her.

One of the cases accuses her of forging a stolen check which she later cashed; while the other alleges that her vehicle was pulled over during a traffic stop while she was en route to deliver meth to another person.

Both sides recommended to the court that Tagiese be sentenced to probation and order her to pay back the $450 for the check she stole. Tagiese will be sentenced May. 7th