Alleged Rape Fugitive Arrested by FBI in Honolulu

By Wendy Osher

Arrest Warrant. Court document.

A man wanted by the Government of American Samoa for the alleged rape of a 13 year old student, was arrested by the FBI last night in Honolulu.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the warrant, Tone Pulou, 26, was an elementary school teacher who allegedly had sex with a student, resulting in a pregnancy. The sexual relationship between teacher and student allegedly continued over a six month period between September 2009 and February 2010.

Local charges filed in American Samoa include allegations of rape, first degree sexual abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Pulou traveled to Australia when a warrant was issued for his arrest in August 2010.  He arrived on Oahu on Friday and had been staying with friends in Waianae for the past few days.

He was arrested without incident at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, at the McDonald’s Restaurant on Bougainville Drive in Honolulu.

Pulou is scheduled to appear in a Honolulu court today, and will likely be held pending extradition to face charges in American Samoa.

Pulou is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in a court of law.