Family squabble on day after Christmas leads to arrest

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man identified as Ioane Gali was arrested following an alleged trespassing, assault, and PPD incident in the village of A’asu, according to a police affidavit filed with the District Court on December 31, 2025.

Mr. Gali was charged with the following:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (PPD) - a class C misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both such imprisonment and fine;

Counts 2, 3, & 4: Assault in the Third Degree - a class C misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both such imprisonment and fine;

Count 5: Trespass - a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both such imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 6: Burglary in the Second Degree - a class C felony, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed seven years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both such imprisonment and fine.

Bail was not indicated.

Officers responded to the call made on Dec. 26th, at about 6:05 p.m. and arrived at the residence in A’asu, where they met with the homeowner and conducted an initial interview.

According to the affidavit, the homeowner stated that she was inside her house when she heard the suspect arguing with his mother at a nearby residence. She reported that she was shocked when the suspect suddenly entered her home without permission.

The suspect allegedly walked directly inside and threatened to punch her.

The homeowner further stated that her son heard the suspect threatening her and came into the house holding a machete to defend her. She added that the suspect then grabbed her 12-year-old son and kissed him on the forehead before turning his attention to her older son and threatening to kill him.

The homeowner contacted the Tafuna Police Substation for assistance.

Investigators determined that the suspect’s residence is located approximately 40 to 50 feet from the victim’s home.

Officers later located the suspect and placed him under arrest. He was transported to the TPS for further investigation.

The affidavit also includes a statement from the suspect’s mother, who told police that her family had gone on a family outing earlier that day, including her son. She stated that when they returned home, she went to check on a Christmas gift inside the house where the suspect and his girlfriend were staying and found it torn apart.

She said she confronted her son about the damaged gift, which caused him to become angry. According to her statement, the suspect began cursing and punching the walls inside the house. She further stated that he punched the rear passenger side of their vehicle before walking to the neighboring residence and causing a disturbance.

The suspect’s mother told police that her son had been drinking alcohol at the family gathering and appeared to be highly intoxicated. She added that he frequently causes disturbances and damages property at their residence.

In a separate statement, the victim’s 19-year old son told officers that he had been outside doing chores when he heard arguing coming from the house. He stated that he heard the suspect threatening his mother, which prompted him to go inside carrying a machete to protect her.

The son reported that when he entered the house, the suspect was already inside and that his parents were trying to force him to leave, but he refused. He further stated that the suspect threatened to kill him because he had intervened to defend his mother.

At the TPS, Gali was advised of his constitutional rights. He signed a form acknowledging that he understood his rights but declined to provide a statement to investigators.

The suspect was later booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending his initial appearance in District Court.

The suspect is identified as a 33-year-old US National.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court. ra]