Meth case pleaded down

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine has entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge.

Henry Taulaga, 43, who was a bus driver when police arrested him on Jan. 19, 2018 was initially charged with a single count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, to wit; methamphetamine — a felony punishable by imprisonment of not less than five years, not more than ten years, and a fine of not less than $5,000 or more than $20,000, or both.

However, under a plea agreement with the government, Taulaga agreed to plead guilty to the amended count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a class D felony, punishable by imprisonment of not more than 5 years and a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

With his guilty plea, Taulaga admits that on Jan. 19, 2018 he was in possession of a glass pipe containing meth, and he had the pipe on him when police pulled over his vehicle.

Taulaga, who is still in custody unable to post a $5,000 surety bond is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 28 for sentencing.