Penisimani Foukimoana Koli Moa, 33, has been sentenced to one year and eight months in prison after entering the Emerald Hotel in Tonga and pointing a .22 pistol at an employee’s forehead.
Moa had pleaded guilty on 23 May to all counts, bringing a swift end to the case.
The incident occurred in the early hours of 4 January 2025, when Moa, visibly intoxicated, stormed into the hotel demanding a room key.
After being told there were no vacancies, he threatened staff before aiming the firearm at front-desk employee Sonatane Havea, who feared he would be shot.
He then put the gun back in his pocket and left the hotel. The victim immediately reported the incident to the police.
Later, at around 2.45am. that same morning, police stopped a black Voxy vehicle in Hala’ovave. Moa and three others were inside, with Moa seated in the back right seat.
During a search, officers found the silver pistol in his trouser pocket. Police Officer ‘Aho also discovered a small packet suspected to contain cannabis, prompting a call to the Drugs Squad.
When Officer Fifita from the Drugs Squad arrived, he informed Moa and his companions about the suspected cannabis and told them they would be searched at the Central Police Station. Upon questioning, Moa voluntarily admitted that the packet was his and also confessed ownership of the pistol.
Justice Tupou handed down the sentence on 18 July at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa, convicting Moa on multiple charges, including trespassing with arms, common assault, and drug and firearm possession offences.
The court heard that Moa was carrying 0.92 grams of cannabis and an unlicensed .22 semi-automatic pistol at the time of the offence. Justice Tupou emphasized the seriousness of the crime, noting the terror inflicted on the victim during the confrontation.
Personal History Revealed in Pre-Sentencing Report
The Supreme Court was presented with a pre-sentencing report detailing the troubled background of Koli Moa. Born and raised in Kolofo’ou, Tongatapu, Moa’s family migrated to Sacramento, USA, when he was 11 years old. However, his parents later separated after his father returned to Tonga to care for his aging parents.
Moa completed high school in the U.S. and briefly attended junior college before dropping out after just one year. His life took a darker turn when he was convicted of burglary and assault, leading to his deportation back to Tonga on 19 March 2015.
The report noted that Moa had developed addictions to alcohol and drugs while living in the U.S., and these struggles continued after his return to Tonga.
Family Struggles and Domestic Violence
Moa is married with five children—three from his wife’s previous relationships and two from their own marriage, the youngest being just nine months old.
His wife disclosed to authorities that his heavy drinking and frequent weekend outings with friends had strained their marriage. She also admitted to suffering domestic abuse at his hands.
Despite his family responsibilities, Moa has remained largely disconnected from his community and church. He earns a modest income by exporting taro and cassava to relatives overseas and selling them locally, making roughly $5,000 every three months.
However, his unstable behaviour and criminal history have overshadowed any efforts toward rehabilitation.
In 2015, Moa was given a three-month suspended sentence for theft, allowing him to avoid prison time altogether. The following year in 2016, he again escaped meaningful punishment when he received a discharge without conviction for trespassing offences.
This pattern continued in 2020 when he was convicted for drug possession – while sentenced to six months imprisonment, the term was fully suspended, permitting him to remain free under court-imposed conditions.
However, the court’s patience with Moa appears to have run out following his most recent offences. His failure to comply with bail conditions in the current case resulted in his remand in custody beginning April 21, 2025.
Concurrent Sentencing Reduces Total Jail Time
Justice Tupou ruled that the sentences for Counts 1, 2, and 4 will run concurrently (at the same time) with the 20-month sentence for Count 3, the most serious charge.
This means Moa will serve a total of 1 year and 8 months behind bars, rather than facing a longer cumulative sentence.
The court also ordered that his time in custody since his arrest be deducted from the sentence, ensuring he is not penalised for the period he has already spent in jail awaiting trial.
