30 Oct 2006

Two guards at American Samoa's Juvenile Detention Centre plead not guilty to rape charges

11:51 am on 30 October 2006

Two guards at American Samoa's Juvenile Detention centre who have been charged with raping a teenager have both pleaded not guilty.

Apoga Custodio and Faamisiona Faamausili are accused of raping the 15 year-old girl between March and August of this year while she was detained at the Centre.

Mr Custodio faces 21 charges .

The two will next appear in court on the 8th of January next year, which the court has set as the deadline for any pre trial motions or plea bargains to be filed.

Meanwhile, the head of the Juvenile detention Centre Lt. Malo Te'o is also facing a charge of tampering with evidence.