No restitution ordered for man who stole a vehicle and then sold it

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A young man from Tafuna convicted of stealing a vehicle and selling it for $1,000 was sentenced by the court last week to time served. According to court records, Felise Vili served 16 and 1/2 months at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) while awaiting the outcome of this matter.

Vili was originally charged with stealing and fraud, both class C felonies, punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years, a $5,000 fine or pursuant to A.S.C.A 46.2101, a fine equal to twice the amount of gain from the commission of said crime, up to a maximum of $20,000, or both such fine and imprisonment for each count.

Under a plea agreement with the government, Vili pled guilty to stealing. He admits that on Mar. 22nd, 2020 he stole a vehicle and sold it for $1,000.

Vili was still in custody after he was arrested until last month when he appeared for his Change of Plea hearing, unable to post his $5,000 bond. However, the court granted Vili’s attorney’s motion to release him on his own recognizance after the court accepted the plea agreement.

When Vili appeared in court last week for sentencing, his attorney asked for a probated sentence without any additional period of detention. The government’s attorney did not oppose.

After a short deliberation, the court sentenced Vili to time served, which was 16 and a half months. The court did not order any restitution.

According to the court, the Probation Office was unable to locate other parties involved in this case.