Man takes a plea in burglary case — claims he was only the “lookout man”

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 42-year-old man accused of assisting two males who burglarized a home on the west side has entered into a plea agreement with the government.

Tala Muliaga was originally charged with one count of stealing, a class C felony, punishable by imprisonment term of up to 7 years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both. However, in a plea agreement with the government, Muliaga pled guilty to the amended count of conspiracy to commit stealing, a class D felony, punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

Muliaga admits that on May 19, 2020 he assisted two men who stole from a home in Tafuna by using his vehicle to transport the stolen items and deliver them to his home in Kokoland in an effort to conceal it from everyone, including the police.

He further admits that he was the lookout for the two men who were in the house, stealing.

The government recommended that Muliaga be ordered to pay $652 restitution. Muliaga, who is out on a $5,000 surety bond, will be sentenced next month.