Plea bargain in case where meth was found in package at Post Office

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man who claimed a package mailed through the U.S. Post Office on Apr. 13, 2017 in which crystal methamphetamine was found entered into a plea bargain with the government last week.

Valaau Tinoa, 47, was initially charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a felony punishable by a mandatory term of imprisonment of not less than five nor more than 10 years, a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $20,000, or both.

However, under a plea bargain with the government, Tinoa agreed to plead guilty to the amended charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, also a class D felony, but punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to five years, and/or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

With his guilty plea, the defendant admits that on or about Apr. 13, 2017 he went to the Post Office to pick up a package, knowing there was methamphetamine inside.

The meth was found inside an electronic device and weighed 1.1 ounces.

When questioned by police, Tinoa told investigators he was expecting a package from his brother in California and thought it had arrived. When informed about the illegal substance inside the package, Tinoa told investigators he was expecting a present from his brother but not illegal drugs.

Tinoa, who is out on a $5,000 surety bond is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 21 for sentencing.