Los Angeles Defendants Indicted on Drug and Murder-for-Hire Scheme

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that the Superseding Indictment charging DAVID SUIAUNOA a/k/a “DAVE,” age 46 from Torrence, CA; LUCKY FUA IOSUA, a/k/a “IOSUA LUCKY FUA,” age 46, from Carson, CA; and NADINE SAMALAULU PAALA, a/k/a “NADINE PAALA-UTU,” age 28, from Torrence, CA, was unsealed today. The Superseding Indictment charges each defendant with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. SUIAUNOA, IOSUA, and DAVID PHILLIPS, age 36 from Los Angeles, CA, were also indicted for using facilities of interstate commerce to solicit a murder-for-hire.

According to the Superseding Indictment, since on or about December 17, 2015, SUIAUNOA, IOSUA, and PAALA conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. SUIAUNOA, IOSUA, and PHILLIPS were also indicted on conspiring to commit a murder-for-hire from on or about July 27, 2016. The investigation revealed that PHILLIPS hired SUIAUNOA to kill an individual located in Los Angeles. SUIAUNOA and IOSUA later attempted to hire an undercover agent from Homeland Security Investigations to find a hitman to complete the murder. SUIAUNOA, IOSUA, and PHILLIPS were all arrested before the victim could be murdered.

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the Superseding Indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.