A star running back at East High School, Sione Havili, led the Leopards to two state championship appearances and was heavily recruited by BYU, Utah and Utah State. He eventually signed a national letter of intent with Brigham Young University in February 1998.
However, he never enrolled at the Provo school because he was an academic nonqualifier. He accepted a call to serve an LDS mission to New York City and was hoping to resolve academic issues upon his return this fall.But now he must deal with a considerably more serious matter, and playing college football is among the least of his concerns.
Last week, Havili, 20, was called home from his mission as he and two friends were charged in 3rd District Court with aggravated arson after being accused of involvement in a 1998 firebombing that destroyed a Salt Lake home.
Shortly after the Oct. 18, 1998, incident, prosecutors charged Siale Vainuku, 20, and Viliami Wolfgramm, 20, in the crime. Wolfgramm pleaded guilty earlier this month to a reduced charge and told prosecutors that Havili; Patrick George Hautau, 21, and Samuel Amato Kutu, 20, also participated in the firebombing.
All were charged with a first-degree felony, along with a gang enhancement, and face a possible sentence of six years to life in prison. Havili made a first appearance in court Thursday and has another court hearing scheduled for later this month before Judge Robin Reese, though his attorney, Ed Brass, says that hearing could be postponed. Havili is not being held in jail.
"He's been cooperative with the police," Brass said. During his mission, Havili answered questions from Salt Lake City authorities about the case over the phone. He returned to Utah at his own expense to be charged.
The case is expected to go to trial this summer, and that is when the facts surrounding the incident will come to light, Brass said.
"It's too soon for his side of the story," he said. "It's been very difficult for him and his family. They are very religious people. I'm just getting to know the kid, but he's very personable and well-spoken. I hope we can get his life back on track."
Havili and a companion were the main sources in a recent feature story that appeared in the New York Daily News about LDS missionaries serving in Brooklyn. The article recounts a day in East Flatbush when Havili and his companion, a former high school basketball player from Denver, were challenged to a game of basketball. The Mormons in white shirts and ties beat the hoop homeboys who afterward begged for another game. But, the story said, Havili and his companion were too busy with missionary work to schedule a rematch.
"We know they are hurting," Havili told the reporter with a laugh. "We know it can't feel too good being showed up by two missionaries."
Sources at BYU say they were not aware of any legal problems involving Havili and are saddened by the news. They had been planning to assist Havili with his academic situation upon the completion of his mission.
"It's very shocking as his attorney to see him accused of something like this. He's a real good kid," Brass said. "I hope BYU and everyone will withhold judgment on him. There are some mitigating factors in the case that will come out."
Deseret News staff writer Jim Rayburn contributed to this report.