District Court hears case charging cousins with alleged underage drinking

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two men made their initial appearances in District Court this past week on charges of private peace disturbance and underage consumption of alcohol.

TJ Vaesau, 19, and Joseph Vaka Jr have both been released on their own recognizance. Their next court date is April 30.

According to the government's case, police were contacted for assistance around 11:30p.m. last Saturday, Mar. 23, regarding a disturbance in the Nuuuli area.

Samoa News understands that the two men are cousins, and they had gotten into a fight following a drinking session.

When police arrived, "there was no fight" although bystanders had pointed cops in the direction of a shirtless Vaka Jr who was being led away by his father.

According to the criminal complaint, Vaka Jr and his father were walking towards the back of their home and once they were out of sight, cops heard people "yelling for help". Officers ran to where the commotion was coming from, to find Vaka Jr with scratches on his face and a minor nose bleed, resulting from a fight with co-defendant Vaesau who at this time, had ran into the house.

Police entered the home and discovered Vaesau hiding under the bed.

Both men were transported to the DPS substation west for questioning.

According to Vaka Jr's father, his son and his nephew (Vaesau), along with their friends had been drinking earlier and an argument broke out. He said he and their family members tried to remedy the situation but they couldn't.

Prior to ordering Vaka Jr's release, Judge Elvis P. Patea told him to remain law abiding, stay alcohol free, and not leave or attempt to leave the territory without prior permission of the court, except for when he goes out to sea. (The court was informed that Vaka Jr is a fisherman).

Both men have entered 'not guilty' pleas to the charges against them, and they are ordered to maintain the peace at home.

For Vaka Jr., the additional condition is that he provide to the court a copy of his birth certificate at his next hearing, to confirm his identity.