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Man accused of assaulting his sister pleads to one charge

American Samoa District Court building

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man who was charged following an altercation with his sister has pled guilty to third degree assault, as a class A misdemeanor.

Hinelaia Niue appeared in District Court yesterday morning for a pretrial conference. Through his attorney, Assistant Public Defender Anna Whiles, Niue agreed to plead guilty to third degree assault. In return, the remaining charges of private peace disturbance and third degree assault (as a class C misdemeanor) were dismissed.

With his guilty plea, Niue admits that the victim — his sister — sustained bruises and minor injuries after he threw a turkey tail at her, and then punched and slapped her on Nov. 9, 2018.

Both attorney recommended a probated sentence for the father of two, ages 4 and 1.

Judge Elvis P. Patea sentenced Niue to 12 months probation with standard conditions, including the successful completion of an anger management counseling class. He is also ordered to pay $100 within 30 days.

Also last week, a woman accused of violating her probation conditions has landed back in jail.

A woman for whom an arrest warrant was issued Tuesday, Feb. 12 for failing to comply with conditions of probation appeared in District Court Wednesday for an order to show cause to modify/ revoke probation.

Lupelele Afu, through her attorney Assistant Public Defender Anna Whiles denied the allegations, and her next court appearance is set for next Thursday, Feb. 21

For now, she is remanded back to custody at the TCF.

According to the court, Afu violated the terms of her probation handed down Sept. 7, 2018 when she failed to visit the Probation Office and pay a court ordered fine. Additionally, Judge Patea noted, Afu tested positive for methamphetamine.

Afu pled guilty last September to attempt to produce marijuana.

The court suspended the imposition of a sentence and placed her on probation for 12 months, under the condition that she visit the Probation Office, and pay a fine of $100 within 30 days of the sentence being handed down.