Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai, has confirmed that a man wanted by local authorities over the rape of four students with special needs has been sent back to Samoa.
The confirmation came in an email from Aumua to the Samoa Observer. He was asked for a comment following international reports about the man being found in the United States of America.
Aumua was reluctant to reveal the man’s identity, citing “the protection of the victims.”
“All information regarding the victims or any information that could lead to the identification of the victims cannot be released,” he said.
But “the said male had left Samoa” several years ago.
Since then, “the Office of the Attorney General with the Samoan Police had worked with relevant United States authorities for the return of this male.”
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According to information provided by the United States government, Vaiaoga Leatuvao, went there on a six-month visitor's visa in September 2012.
In July 2013, the Samoan government charged Leatuvao with raping four female students at a Samoan school for disabled children.
Leatuvao, who was still in Seattle on the now-expired visa, was arrested last August for immigration violations.
He was sent back on Tuesday from Sea-Tac Airport, arriving in Samoa on Thursday.
The 37-year-old was escorted by two United States government agents.
Aumua declined to discuss the matter further saying that “it may prejudice investigations at this stage.”
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