23 Nov 2015

Guilty plea entered in school sexual assault case in American Samoa

5:25 pm on 23 November 2015

A man has entered into a plea agreement in American Samoa in relation to charges of rape of a minor.

Nomani Tepa originally faced charges of rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

The charges relate to a visit from a Samoan school for the Flag Day celebration in April.

He has pleaded guilty to sexual assault, while the other charges have been dismissed.

His sentencing hearing will be on December the 4th.

Last month, the court approved a plea deal for a co-accused, Vaega Anderson, an adult volunteer who was with the group.

Both Tepa, Anderson and a third man, Falesefulu Susuga, remain at the Territorial Correctional Facility.