Drug defendant Paulo Paulo Jr was sentenced today for selling marijuana to cannery workers.
His sentencing was continued from two weeks ago on orders of Chief Justice Michael Kruse to the Probation Office to check into the background of Paulo’s family.
Kruse wanted to verify that the defendant’s family would provide the support he needs to stay away from controlled substances.
The court sentenced Paulo to five years imprisonment, however the jail term was suspended on condition that he serve 20 months and then placed on probation for five years.
He is also fined $2000.
Paulo has already served 8 months at the Territorial Correctional Facility.
The court heard from the Probation Office that while Paulo was born in Samoa he has been living in the territory since he was four and for all purposes American Samoa is his home
It was revealed during the sentencing hearing for Paulo two weeks ago that he supplemented his income at the cannery by selling marijuana to co workers.
A positive report from the Probation Office helped stop the deportation of the defendant.
The court ordered that after Paulo is released, he must find a job within three months and Chief Justice Micahel Kruse made it clear that farming was not an option for employment.
The Chief Justice warned Paulo that a violation of any of these conditions will trigger his departure from the territory.
