Probationer told to get a job — get get get a job

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — One of the conditions for Salema Ifopo’s 5-year probation is to seek and secure gainful employment. Ifopo was released from the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) last week after the court decided that the 13 months he served in custody while awaiting the outcome of his case is enough for his crime.

If Ifopo is unable to secure gainful employment, the court ordered him to report back to the TCF to serve the remaining balance of his period of detention.

Ifopo, who had been in custody unable to post a $10,000 surety bond appeared in court last month for sentencing, however, due to his outstanding traffic fine in District Court for $340, the High Court continued sentencing and ordered him to clear his outstanding traffic fine first before the court considers his sentencing.

Ifopo appeared in court last week for sentencing, with his defense attorney informing the court that his client had fully paid his outstanding fine.

When given the chance to address the court, Ifopo apologized for his actions and begged the court for a second chance to return home to provide for his family — especially his wife and his family. He told the court that he has six children and two grandchildren.

The court asked Ifopo whether he understands the reason police searched him; and he replied, yes. He told the court that he was pulled over by a police officer for driving a vehicle with expired tags.

The defense attorney told the court that his client is truly remorseful for his action and wanted to go home to seek and secure gainful employment to provide for his family. The court was told that his client was gainfully employed before he was arrested in September of last year. He worked as an electrician for over 15 years and he was the sole provider for his family.

Anderson then asked the court for a probated sentence without an additional period of detention.

The government’s attorney seconded the defense attorney’s request and asked the court to adopt the recommendation by the Probation office through the Pre Sentence Report (PSR).

After considering mitigating factors from both parties, along with the defendant’s statement, the court sentenced Ifopo to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of $2,000.

Execution of the sentence was suspended, and he was placed on probation for 5 years subject to several conditions. He was to serve 13 months of his 20 month period of detention, credited for the time he served while awaiting the outcome of his matter.

Defendant is to be released for a period of 90 days in which time he shall secure and seek gainful employment. If Ifopo is unable to secure gainful employment, the court ordered him to report back to the TCF and serve the rest of his detention.

The court also ordered him to pay his $2,000 fine.

In addition, he is subject to the usual probation restrictions, including submitting himself for testing to make sure he’s in compliance with the ‘stay clean’ order.