Probation revoked after man repeatedly tests positive for meth

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A probationer who tested positive for meth after his latest court hearing is now in custody, after District Court Judge Elvis P. Patea revoked his release.

Palota Afele was sentenced to 12 months probation after he was convicted of third degree assault in May of this year. Conditions of probation include monthly Probation visits, paying a $140 fine, and remaining drug and alcohol free.

The court had ordered Afele to appear Aug. 30th for his first probation review. However, when he failed to show up, the court issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Afele was arrested and appeared in court on Oct. 2nd, after which he was released on his own recognizance. Before Afele left the premises, Patea ordered the Probation Office to drug test Afele, to see if he was complying with conditions of probation.

The test came back positive for meth and a second OSC was issued by the court, for which he appeared earlier this month. When Afele’s case was called, Patea ordered Probation to test Afele prior to the start of court proceedings.

Again, Afele tested positive for meth.

Patea told Afele’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Bob Stuart that the court will continue Afele’s case, and a preliminary hearing (PX) for his second OSC is Nov. 14th.

In the meantime, Afele is back in custody on a ‘no bail’ status