Local former US Postal Service employee facing conspiracy drug possession misdemeanor

A former US Postal Service (USPS) employee in American Samoa is facing a conspiracy drug possession charge — a misdemeanor — in connection with a parcel, alleged to contain drugs, she received earlier this year.

According to the criminal complaint, Chevonne Lafaele is charged with conspiracy to possess a controlled substance — methamphetamine. It’s alleged that around Jan. 10th, the defendant, for the purpose of committing the crime of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, agreed with another person or persons to accept a package through the US mail.

She allegedly knew that the package contained methamphetamine in violation of provisions of three separate local drug laws, which is classified as a Class D felony under provision of the laws but punishable under another provision of the law as a Class A misdemeanor with a term of imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000 or both such fine and imprisonment, according to the criminal complaint.

Samoa News reported on Jan. 24th that Lafaele was charged with unlawful possession of the controlled substance of methamphetamine, a felony punishable between 5 and 10 years in jail and/or a fine, between $5,000- $10,000.

However, the charge was later dismissed without prejudice by the District Court, while the government continued its investigation.

Last Friday, Lafaele appeared in District court via a summons for the conspiracy charge. Because she appeared via summons, no bail was set. Another court hearing is set for later this month.

According to the government’s case, the matter was reported to the police on January 10,  following routine inspection by Customs agents on all parcels that come through the USPS. The government’s case claims that the police were informed by Customs agent during a meeting that a routine inspection by the drug sniffing K-9 “Critter” alerted near a package addressed to Chevonne Lafaele.

During the inspection, Customs discovered four separate plastic packages that were concealed within a speaker unit.

When the substance was tested, two baggies revealed positive results for methamphetamine, while the other two tested positive for an active chemical in marijuana. Each bag weighed one pound. 

According to the government, Lafaele had no knowledge of the concealed bags, and the package was from a friend named “Lisa Lafaele” who resides somewhere in Hawai’i. The two allegedly met on Facebook, shared text messages on the social media site, and even spoke on the phone.

When questioned by police, Lafaele allegedly consented to a search of her cell phone and Facebook account and messages from Lisa Lafaele "were not found”. The defendant claims that “somebody has erased the messages.”

As the interview continued, Lafaele’s cell phone rang. According to the affidavit, a Facebook message on Lafaele's phone “appeared from a subject currently under investigation, whose identity we wish to keep confidential, was received."

The person, under investigation, is identified as Subject #1, who asked if “we” were safe and for a place to meet.

Lafaele allegedly admitted to police that the package belonged to Subject #1 and that she was supposed to deliver the package to her. Additionally Subject #1 previously contacted her and asked if she can accept a package for her.

According to the affidavit, “Lafaele agreed and stated that she suspects that there were drugs in the package because Subject #1 told her that there was ‘stuff’ in the package,”.

Furthermore, “Lafaele seemed very emotional and cried during the police interview stating that she is not the kind of person who uses drugs, and she shouldn’t have accepted the package for Subject #1.”

Lafaele allegedly told police that she was willing to cooperate and wanted to help police by delivering the package to Subject #1.

Using her own vehicle, Lafaele proceeded to a restaurant on the Tafuna side to meet with Subject #1 whom Lafaele communicated with during the delivery, utilizing her Facebook account.

While waiting for Subject #1 to meet Lafaele at the parking lot of the restaurant, three police detectives observed a truck pulling in, driven by Subject #1. The affidavit went on to describe what occurred at the parking lot, and that Lafaele and Subject #1 continued to communicate via text.

The delivery of the package never happened, with Subject #1 telling Lafaele “not here” and drove away. There was another person with Subject #1 and that individual is only identified as Subject #2 in the affidavit.

A short time later, Subject #1 text messaged Lafaele again using her Facebook account stating “I’ll just meet up with you later” and “Not feeling good about this”, the affidavit states.

Police contacted Lafaele about 10 days later and asked if anybody tried to contact her about the package. Lafaele stated that Subject #1 last texted her on Jan. 10, and she had not contacted her about the package ever since.

Additionally, Subject #1 erased their conversation on Facebook about dropping off the package.

Lafaele’s attorney is Sharron Rancourt, and prosecuting the case is Woodrow Pengally of the Attorney General’s office.