The man who was extradited from American Samoa to California last November in connection with a federal case involving drug possession and distribution and money laundering entered a not guilty plea in the US Federal District Court of the Eastern District of California.
Loki Lotovale, who was a janitor for the Pago Pago Post Office, has been released from custody after posting a $10,000 unsecured bond.
He faces two counts of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, four counts of money laundering and criminal forfeiture.
A status conference for his case is set for March 5.
US Magistrate Judge Sean Riordan has granted a request by the defense and prosecution for a protective order restricting the use and dissemination of certain materials containing personal identifying information of real persons and other confidential information of victims, witnesses and third parties.
The personal identifying information referred to include names, addresses, Social Security numbers, employers and bank account numbers. Some of the people in these documents are witnesses and third parties to this case.
The parties stipulated that the documentary evidence contains a quantity of privacy protected information that would be difficult or time consuming to redact. Further if the government were to attempt to redact all this information, such a process could inhibit prompt and just resolution of the case or preparation for trial.
