Overstayer ordered to leave the territory after pleading guilty to meth possession

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 31-year-old man from Samoa who pled guilty to meth possession has been ordered to depart the territory and remain outside of its borders, as a condition of his 5-year probation sentence.

Steven Alaimalo appeared in High Court last week for sentencing. He was initially charged in two separate cases. In the first case, he was charged with first degree burglary and stealing - both class C felonies. In the second case, he was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a class D felony.

But under a plea agreement with the government, Alaimalo pled guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine. He admits that on Mar. 21, 2019 he had on him 2 glass pipes containing meth.

In his statement to the court, Alaimalo, who has been in custody since his arrest last year, unable to post a $5,000 bond, apologized and asked for a chance to return to Samoa to care for his parents and make use of his life to serve his church, family, and village.

Defense attorney Ryan Anderson asked the court to adopt the recommendation in the Pre Sentence Report (PSR). And that is, to sentence his client to probation under the condition that he depart the territory.

According to the court, Alaimalo was here illegally when he was arrested last year, after being found with 2 glass pipes containing meth. Immigration says Alaimalo entered the territory on a 30-day permit and continued to live here illegally for two months before he was arrested.

The court noted that Alaimalo partied with some friends and afterwards, took a taxi home. When the taxi got to his residence, the defendant fled without paying his fare. The taxi driver then contacted police for help.

Cops were able to apprehend Alaimalo with the help of some young men who guided them to a shack where Alaimalo lived. During a body search, police found 2 glass pipes in his possession.

Investigators also discovered that Alaimalo had an active arrest warrant for a stealing case 4 months prior to this incident. He had allegedly broke into a home in Tafuna and took off with several items.
The court sentenced Alaimalo to 5 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. Execution of sentence is suspended and he is placed on probation for 5 years, subject to certain conditions. He has to serve 20 months at the TCF with credit for time served.

The remaining period of detention is stayed, and he is ordered to depart the territory and remain outside of its borders for the duration of the stayed period.

The court has ordered that a copy of the judgment and sentence be served to Immigration to ensure Alaimalo’s name is included on the Lookout List.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, all the remaining charges him were dismissed.