Drunk man arrested for alleged disturbance during prayer service

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 28, 2025, an individual called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) asking for assistance regarding a man allegedly causing a disturbance during prayer service.

The suspect was apprehended and resisted arrest but was later detained and charged with:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 2: Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

According to the court affidavit, on Feb. 28th, at approximately 2:22 a.m. an individual (later identified as the victim) called the TPS in need of assistance regarding a man who was causing a disturbance in front of a church during a prayer meeting. The suspect was allegedly shouting war cries (fa’aumū) and acting in a disorderly manner.

Police officers responded to the said call and upon arrival, the officers met up with the reporter who briefed them on the said matter and pointed out where the suspect was, which was right across from the church. They also gave the description of what the suspect was wearing.

Upon arrival at the suspect’s residence, the officers observed two men sitting outside of the residence and one of them matched the description provided by the reporter. Upon asking one of the men, he admitted that it was he who shouted war cries on their property.

As the officers exited the police unit and approached the suspect, they were able to identify the suspect as Kereti Fa’atili. The officers explained to the suspect why they were there, and the suspect snapped back and told the officers that he can do whatever he wants because it’s his land.

The officers apprehended the suspect, and Fa’atil started resisting arrest by yanking his hands away from the officers when they tried to cuff him.

The suspect also questioned why he was being arrested and started to get rowdy by kicking the car door and making it difficult for the officers to detain him.

Moreover, Faatili started shouting profanities in Samoan at the officers as they tried to put him inside the police unit. The officers were finally able to detain him and place him in the police unit to transport to the TPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the suspect continued shouting profanities at the officers and kept saying to open his cuffs for a one-on-one fist fight with one of the officers.

 At around 3:00 a.m., the officers decided not to Mirandize the suspect because he was highly intoxicated and was also observed with red bloodshot eyes.

The suspect was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility for confinement until the next sitting of the court.

The defendant is identified as a 28-year-old U.S National.