17 Oct 2006

American Samoa's governor to introduce tougher legislation for child sex offenders

6:44 am on 17 October 2006

American Samoa's Governor Togiola Tulafono wants tougher penalties for those sexually abusing

children.

He said on his radio program that he plans to introduce legislation that would impose a mandatory life sentence for defendants convicted of sexual crimes involving minors.

The governor says that these types of crimes are becoming prevalent and he hopes tougher sentences would deter

offenders.