Man who pleads to attempted sex abuse — released on own recognizance

Pago Pago, AMERICA SAMOA — A 38-year-old man who was accused of touching a woman’s breast in a sexual manner has admitted the charge against him.

Romeo Levi was initially charged with attempted rape and 1st degree sexual abuse, both class C felonies, punishable by a jail term of not more than 7 years, a fine of $5,000, or both.

Under a plea agreement with the government, Levi pled guilty to the amended charge of attempted sexual abuse in the 2nd degree, a class A misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

With his guilty plea, Levi admits that on Dec. 17, 2019 he touched a woman's breast, without her consent, to arouse and gratify his sexual desires.

After accepting the plea agreement on Monday, the court asked both attorneys how they want to deal with sentencing, as the defendant has been in jail for almost a year now.

Both sides said Levi’s sentence should be announced next week and the defendant was released on his own recognizance before sentencing next week.