Sentencing date set for man who pleads in drug case

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused last year of unlawful possession of drugs pled guilty in High Court last week during a Change of Plea hearing.

Taleni Ifopo, 29, was initially charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a felony punishable by imprisonment of not less that five nor more than ten years, and a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $20,000 or both.

However, under a plea agreement with the government which was also accepted by the court, Ifopo pled guilty to the amended charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a class D felony that carries a jail term of not more than five years and a fine no more than $5,000 or both.

With his plea, Ifopo admits that on Dec. 7, 2017 he unlawfully possessed a glass pipe containing methamphetamine.

According to terms of the plea agreement, Ifopo was one of two men arrested for drinking in front of a store in Nuuuli. When police approached the pair, Ifopo fled the scene and took the cops on a foot chase.

Ifopo was eventually apprehended and taken to the Tafuna Substation for questioning. A glass pipe containing meth was found in his pants pocket during a body search.

Ifopo is in custody with bond set at $5,000

He is scheduled to appear in court on May 29 for sentencing.