US fugitive hearing in July [1]
Thursday, June 26, 2014 - 20:47
A 62-year-old fugitive from the United States, who is wanted by the FBI, will appear at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 22 to appeal against a removal order.
Antone Thomas Pedras, a US national who was arrested by Tonga Police on May 5, 2014 in Havelu remains on bail with strict conditions.
He will appear before the Chief Justice Hon Michael Scott who will hear parties applications, including the fugitive's appeal against the removal order, application for leave to apply for judicial review and an application for an interim injunction.
The Tonga Police Serious Organized and Transnational Crime Unit (SOTCU) in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested the fugitive and remanded him in custody from May 5-19, before he was released on bail.
He was issued with a Federal Grand Jury indictment for four counts of wire fraud in September 2013. The US Government issued a Federal Warrant of his arrest from the US District Court of Central California in December 2013.
The fugitive's US passport had been cancelled and he was issued with an emergency passport to facilitate his return to the United States.
He was initially set to appear in court on May 27 but the hearing was adjourned with the new date set down for July 22.