On Tuesday, police officers serving a warrant of arrest to a female correctional officer found an inmate riding in the same vehicle that the correctional officer was in.
The inmate had been arrested and charged last month for drug and weapons offences.
Acting Commissioner of Public Safety Falana’ipupu Taase Sagapolutele said police are investigating how the inmate made it out of the TCF and the possible involvement of the correctional officer who is believed to be the inmate’s girlfriend.
The warrant that police were serving to the correctional officer, Faiesea Kupu, relates to a February 11, 2026 incident when her boyfriend was brought to the TCF. The boyfriend, Lui Iputi, was arrested for possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a defaced firearm.
According to court filing, when Iputi was taken to the TCF after his arrest, he was handcuffed using two pairs of handcuffs that were linked together. As soon as one of the handcuffs was unlocked, he allegedly punched one of the police officers on the mouth while gripping the loose handcuff, causing a laceration and physical pain. Correctional officer, Faiesea Kupu, who was at the receiving desk at the TCF is accused of grabbing the police officer and physically restraining the cop while Iputi punched him two more times still using the loose handcuff.
Kupu is being held without bail at the TCF. Her boyfriend Iputi was retuned to the TCF after police found him in Kupu’s vehicle on Tuesday.
