Drunk arrested for PPD after allegedly injuring himself and resisting arrest

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 9, 2024, police officers responded to a call reporting a male individual allegedly disturbing the peace.

The suspect, Joe To’imalo was arrested and later charged with Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor by imprisonment for six months, a fine of $500.00, or both.

There was no bail stated in the affidavit for the defendant.

According to the affidavit, on Nov. 9th, at approximately 12:10 a.m., dispatch radioed in a report of a fight that was in progress. Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival, observed two bystanders that were pointing to the direction where the suspect was.

Upon locating the suspect, the officers saw people near the suspect trying to calm him down. The suspect appeared to be intoxicated and  was screaming and shouting profanities in Samoan. The suspect also had a bloody nose and blood dripping from his mouth. During this time, the bystanders asked the police to remove the suspect for public peace disturbance.

The suspect, later identified as Joe To’imalo was then apprehended and escorted to the police unit. However, the suspect kept trying to sit down and resisting arrest. With assistance from the bystanders, the officers were able to place him inside the police unit.

The officers asked a couple of bystanders if anyone was assaulted and they told the officers that no one fought.

The suspect’s younger brother told the officers that the suspect’s bloody nose and mouth might have resulted from him falling down and hitting his head because he was intoxicated.

The police unit returned to the station with the suspect but were unable to read his rights due to his being intoxicated. The suspect was treated by the EMS and later booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 23-year-old U.S. National.