Drug defendant signs plea agreeing to testify against co-defendant

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — One of the two men accused of unlawful possession of illegal drugs during a traffic stop in Faganeanea on Nov. 22, 2020 has entered into a plea agreement with the government.

Lui Willie, 42 appeared in court last week for his Change of Plea hearing. Willie was initially charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine (meth); one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, both felonies punishable by not less than five or more than ten years in jail, and a fine of not more than $20,000.

However in a plea agreement with the government, accepted by the court, Willie pled guilty to the amended charge of unlawful possession of meth. By his plea, Willie admits that on the early morning of Nov. 22, 2020 while he was inside a vehicle, police found two small baggies containing meth in his possession.

As part of the agreement between Willie and the government, the defendant agreed that he would testify truthfully for the government in the trial of his co-defendant Fitu Foaga.

Willie further admitted that on the day in question, he was riding with Foaga inside Foaga’s black pickup truck heading to Malaeloa when police officers pulled over their vehicle in Malaeimi for a traffic violation.

During the search, police discovered a blue bag sitting in the back seat of the truck with drugs and paraphernalia inside. According to Willie, the blue bag belonged to Foaga.

Sentencing is set for next month.