Ex-American Samoa teacher pleads guilty to rape

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) - A former American Samoa elementary school teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student has pleaded guilty to rape.

Tone Pulou entered the guilty plea Thursday under an agreement with the attorney general's office, which dropped sexual abuse and child endangerment charges.

Pulou admits that on a date between September 2009 and February 2010, he had sexual intercourse with the girl. According to the plea agreement, the girl became pregnant and has since given birth.

Pulou was arrested in Honolulu last year and extradited to Pago Pago shortly afterward. He had been wanted by American Samoa authorities since August 2010 when he allegedly fled the territory for Australia.

During a phone interview while jailed in Honolulu, he told the Associated Press the relationship was consensual.

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