In High Court this morning, two inmates changed their plea in a case involving sexual coercion against a minor.
Sanele Ah Chong and Lalopau Lopa were accused of having sex with the same 14 year-old girl on separate occasions.
The 30-year-old Ah Chong was charged with rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse 1st degree, and distributing alcohol to minors.
The government alleges that in December of last year Ah Chong had taken the minor to his home and offered her alcohol.
The girl was intoxicated and Ah Chong took advantage of her while she was in a vulnerable state.
Ah Chong pleaded guilty to sexual assault and in return the government proposed to drop the other charges.
Defendant Lalopau Lopa faced charges of rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse 1st degree.
The 19-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in the first degree and the other charges are to be dismissed.
According to the government’s case, Lopa took advantage of the girl and had sexual intercourse with her at least three times.
Chief Justice Michael Kruse said that the court will take the plea agreements under advisement and ordered a pre-sentence report.
Kruse took note of the fact that the Government did not pursue this case as a statutory rape.
The Chief Justice pointed out that the victim was sexually assaulted more than once in the same month and not much is being done to address the statutory rape.
