Nu’uuli faipule allegedly the target of threats from a neighbor

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A Nu’uuli faipule was allegedly threatened by a neighbor the day before July 4th.

Court documents disclosed that in Mapusaga, John Schuster allegedly threatened Tautoloitua Sauasetoa Ho Ching by saying he was going to burn his house down and was going to take a gun and shoot Faipule Ho Ching’s family.

 Investigations further revealed that this has been an ongoing matter, where Schuster would threaten his neighbors from time to time. Prior to this incident, there were multiple calls earlier that Schuster was allegedly yelling Samoan profanities and that he was threatening to shoot his neighbors, causing the neighbors to be disturbed.

 Further investigations revealed also that Schuster had called 911 and spoken with one of the dispatchers, and he hurled profanities at one of the dispatchers over the phone and stated he was going to shoot one of the dispatchers with a gun.

 Upon arrival on the scene, officers met with the faipule, who provided a brief explanation on what occurred, afterwards the officers met with Schuster and apprehended him on the scene.

During Schuster’s arrest, he refused to put his hands behind his back several times and flexed his arms in an attempt to stop officers from placing handcuffs on him.

 Schuster was then transported to the Tafuna Police Substation for further processing and then to TCF to await the next sitting of the court.

The defendant has been arraigned and is being charged with 3 counts – public peace disturbance, harassment, and resisting arrest.

Bail for Schuster has been set at $500.