Man pleads in drug-beating death

A man charged in the brutal beating and death of a West Jordan man over a $700 drug debt pleaded guilty to lesser crimes Monday.

Ooleanui Kaine Salanoa admitted to aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony, and negligent homicide, a class A misdemeanor, as part of a plea bargain. He will be sentenced Dec. 7.

Salanoa, 26, helped direct other gang members to the apartment of Jay Wolfinjer Jr., who was believed to have been involved in a drug deal that went bad, according to Salanoa's attorney, James Valdez. However, Valdez said his client did not take part in the violent beating of Wolfinjer, first in his apartment and then later in a West Valley shed.

Wolfinjer was found alive but seriously injured on Oct. 9, 2008, in the shed. He had been wrapped in a sheet, with his hands and feet tied, a shirt wrapped around his head and a chain around his waist. Wolfinjer died shortly afterward.

Salanoa was one of four people arrested and charged in the slaying.

— Linda Thomson