Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A young man from Malaeloa convicted of stealing a vehicle and selling it for $700 was sentenced by the High Court last week to time served. According to court records, Ishmael A. Sefo served 16 and 1/2 months at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) while awaiting the outcome of this matter.

Sefo was originally charged with stealing and fraud, 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 for each count.

Under a plea agreement with the government, Sefo pled guilty to stealing. He admits that on May 2, 2018 he stole a vehicle belonging to another man and sold it for $700.

Sefo was still in custody after he was arrested until last month when he appeared for his Change of Plea hearing, unable to post his $5,000 bond. However, the court granted Sefo’s attorney’s motion to release him on his own recognizance after the court accepted the plea agreement.

When Sefo appeared in court last week for sentencing, his attorney asked for a probated sentence without any additional period of detention. The government’s attorney did not oppose.

After a short deliberation, Chief Justice Michael Kruse sentenced Sefo to time served, which was 16 and ½ months. The court did not order any restitution.

According to the court, the Probation Office was unable to locate other parties involved in this case.