Inmates who tested drug positive in TCF sentenced

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Wayne Gasolo, an inmate who tested positive for methamphetamine while at the Terriorial Correctional Facility, has had 60 days added to his prison term.

Gasolo had 18 days remaining on his sentence for possession of drugs when a blood test showed that he had methamphetamine in his system.

Yesterday he expressed his remorse and apologized for his offence.

Chief Justice Michael Kruse asked if he’s sorry for what he did or sorry that he was caught.

The defendant’s reply was he was sorry that he was caught.

Defense Attorney, Acting Public Defender Michael White said he didn’t have anything to add to Gasolo’s apology.

The CJ then asked, “so we’re just going to lock him away for five years?”

White replied that to him this case was like a dog chasing its tail…the defendant has a drug problem and needs help but none’s been offered to help people like him and others caught up in drugs.

The prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Christy Dunn agreed with White.

The chief justice sentenced Gasolo to 60 days imprisonment and said the court will not revoke his probation.

He ordered the Probation Office to monitor Gasolo regularly,

Another inmate who tested positive for methamphetamine, John Tuupo, during his apology openly admitted that he is an ice addict.

He expressed his disappointment at the probation officer because he claimed his cellmate, Olamali’i, also tested positive for drugs but he was let go.

Kruse turned to Probation Officer Malcolm Polu and asked him what happened to Olamali’i.

Polu said that this inmate was already deported.

After a brief recess, Chief Justice Kruse said directly to Tuupo that he made some serious allegations against the Probation Officer.

Kruse said he has read Olamalii’s file and Olamali’i served more days than he should have due to his sponsor having difficulty in purchasing his ticket.

But he has now been deported back to Apia.

The Chief Justice then addressed Tuupo saying that the results of the drug test was confidential and that either he was being faikakala or he was lying to the court.

Tuupo’s release date from TCF was supposed to be next February but because of his latest ofence, Kruse added an additional 90 days to his jail time.

Kruse made a statement to prosecutor Christy Dunn that until the DPS and the Juvenile Detention Center officers are drug free these cases would continue.

He also said funds intended for rehabilitation for substance abuse should be properly applied.