FBI Arrests Alleged Rape Fugitive in Honolulu

At 7:30 this evening (10/5/11), the Honolulu FBI arrested fugitive Tone Pulou, male, age 26, at the McDonalds Restaurant located at 4725 Bougainville Drive in Honolulu.  The fugitive investigation had been worked jointly by the FBI and Honolulu police over the past five days. The arrest was without incident.

Mr. Pulou was wanted by the government of American Samoa for rape, first-degree sexual abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child. Please note that these are American Samoa local charges, not federal charges.

The warrant for Mr. Pulou’s arrest was issued in August 2010. According to the affidavit filed in support of the warrant, Mr. Pulou was an elementary school teacher in American Samoa who allegedly had sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old female student that resulted in the student’s pregnancy. This sexual relationship between teacher and student allegedly continued from September 2009 through February 2010.

Mr. Pulou first travelled to Australia after fleeing American Samoa in August 2010. He arrived on Oahu from Australia on Friday 9/30/2011, and had been staying with friends in Waianae for the past few days.

Because this is a local warrant issued in American Samoa, Mr. Pulou is being transported to Honolulu Police custody overnight. The Attorney General of American Samoa has indicated that they will extradite Mr. Pulou back to American Samoa to face the charges. Accordingly, Mr. Pulou will appear before a local judge in Honolulu tomorrow and will likely be held pending his extradition.

The public is reminded that this defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in a court of law.