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Man sentenced to five years for fondling minor
Monday,
June 29, 2009
Chief justice Michael Kruse handed down the maximum five year sentence for a man convicted of first degree sexual abuse.
Kruse said Isala Poli shows no respect for the laws of American Samoa. He arrived from Samoa in 2001 and before his current offence, he was convicted in 2007 of second degree assault.
Poli broke into a home in Pago Pago in early January and fondled a 15 year old girl. In his 15 minute apology, the defendant said he would not be in trouble if he hadn’t been drunk that night. He begged the court to give him another chance.
Assistant Attorney General Lisa Teesch-McGuire said the victim has had difficulty sleeping since the incident. She’s scared that someone might sneak into her home again.
The prosecutor also pointed out that the incident occured while the defendant is on probation, and it's clear that he doesn't take the court’s orders and the law seriously. The government recommended that Poli be sentenced to the max of 5 years.
Kruse sentenced Poli to 5 years in prison which is to be served after he finishes the jail term for the assault conviction.
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