A 66 year-old man from Vatia appeared in court last week facing charges of sexual abuse of a 6 year old girl.
Samoa News reports the defendant appeared before Chief Justice Michael Kruse last Friday morning for arraignment after he waived his right to a preliminary examination in District Court.
Through his attorney, Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson, he entered a not guilty plea to all the charges against him.
The man, who caused confusion in the court with two separate last names, is charged with one count of child molesting, one count of sodomy and 3 counts of 1st degree sexual abuse.
Bail is set at $50,000.
If the defendant is able to post bond, he was ordered not to have any direct or indirect contact with the victim, remain law abiding and make all of his court appearances.
Pretrial conference is set for Jan. 8, 2021.
