Court Report: Defendants enter pleas in three different cases

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 36-year-old man accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl has pled guilty.

Uelese Eteuati, who is out on a $10,000 surety bond, appeared in High Court last week for a Change of Plea hearing.

Eteuati was initially charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, both class D felonies; along with endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. However, under a plea agreement with the government, accepted by the High Court, Eteuati pled guilty to one count of first-degree sexual abuse.

With his guilty plea, Eteuati admits that on Apr. 26, 2021, he inappropriately touched a 16-year-old girl with the intent to arouse his sexual desires.

According to the plea agreement, the victim’s mother reported the incident to authorities after she allegedly discovered that her daughter was sexually assaulted by the defendant, who is their neighbor and also her brother’s best friend. The victim told her mom what happened and authorities were notified immediately.

When questioned by police, the victim, in the presence of her parents, said the defendant gave her money to buy clothes and food. She added that he also bought her a new phone so they could communicate; however, somebody took the phone from her school bag.

The government is recommending that the court sentence Eteuati to probation, with no jail term. Sentencing is scheduled for next month.

KELEMETE AVIATA

Kelemete Aviata, who was arrested by police in March of last year on the allegation that he burglarized a store in the Tafuna area told the court he pled guilty to the allegations against him.

Aviata, who has been in custody since his arrest, unable to post a $10,000 surety bond appeared in High Court last week for a Change of Plea hearing.

He was initially charged with stealing and first-degree burglary, both class C felonies, punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

However, under a plea agreement with the government, accepted by the court, Aviata agreed to plead guilty to the amended count of conspiracy to commit stealing, a class D felony, punishable by a jail term of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

With his guilty plea, Aviata admits that on Mar. 24, 2021 he unlawfully entered a store in the Tafuna area with two juveniles, and while in the store, they stole 10 cartons of cigarettes and two cases of corned beef, along with the small bottle containing coins totaling $322. He later sold the 10 cartons of cigarettes to another man for $150.

As part of the plea agreement, the government is recommending to the court to order Aviata to pay $322 restitution. Sentencing is next month and Aviata is remanded back to custody, unable to post his $10,000 surety bond.

SOLOMONA FAAFETAI

A 32-year-old male accused of disturbing the peace (PPD) in a restaurant parking lot two weeks ago made his initial in Court last week, where he entered a not guilty plea to the single charge of PPD. The defendant is Solomona Faafetai.

The court has granted the defense’s motion to release the defendant on his own recognizance, with the usual conditions that include being alcohol and drug free.

“You are not allowed to go back to the restaurant compound at anytime,” the court told the defendant on penalty of being jailed until his case is heard.

The government claims that on Apr. 30 around 10:40 p.m, police officers apprehended an unknown individual later identified as the defendant, for PPD in a restaurant parking lot in the Tafuna area. He was heard by police shouting profane words, both in Samoan and English and challenging people in the parking lot to a fistfight.

Police officers intervened and apprehended the defendant, who was then transported to the TPS where he was booked and taken to jail to await his first appearance in Court.

The court affidavit said Faafetai was heavily intoxicated.

An eyewitness told police that the defendant approached another male individual who was standing behind a blue pick up before he (defendant) allegedly punched the male individual in the eye. The victim then jumped inside the pick up and left the area immediately