Parents allege to police they are scared of their son

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 11, 2025, at approximately 12:40 p.m., the Fagatogo Police Station received a call from the mother of a man who was shouting profanities at her and his stepdad.

Pelesa Ripine was charged with the following:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV) - a class C misdemeanor, punishable by term of imprisonment not to exceed fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300 but not less than $150, or both such imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV) - a class misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year, a fine of not more than $300 but not less than $150.00, or both such imprisonment and fine.

Bail was set at $500.

As the police officers arrived at the scene, they observed a man standing near the road and waving at them. As the officers spoke with man, they noted he was in “distress.” He continued to raise his voice and yelled out profanities as he talked about his mom and stepdad.

Officers asked the suspect to “lower his voice and refrain from using foul language,” but he continued to swear and spoke louder as he “urged his mother to come and fight him.”

Officers placed the suspect in the police vehicle and drove towards his home, where they were greeted by the suspect’s stepfather (victim 1) and directed towards the suspect’s mother (Victim #2).

Victim #1 told police that it all began after church when he asked his son to cook rice but his son ignored him while stating “he was busy cleaning up the kitchen.” Victim #1 stated that he “went to go and boil the rice himself while lecturing the suspect,” but the suspect raised his voice back at him and became hostile. The suspect began to yell profanities and stormed out of the house.

When Victim #2 tried to intervene and attempted to de-escalate the situation, both victims said that it just made the situation worse. The suspect stood in front of the yard and repeatedly yelled profanities at both of them.

Victim #2 stated that she followed her son down the driveway and tried to calm him down, pleading with him to lower his voice. However, he yelled back, "Come here, let's one on one," challenging her to fight with him in front of their neighbors' houses.

She explained that “as the suspect was making these remarks, the suspect at the same time was gradually advancing towards her up [to] the point where they were almost face to face, just inches from each other.” She added that he positioned himself in a manner that seemed he was about to slap or punch her, swinging his arm back and forth, towards her face.

She said that she froze and was fearful, and began to panic, as she tried to back away from the suspect. However, her son kept walking towards her, trying to get in her face. He yelled for his mother to go back to the house or he’s going to beat up her husband.

Victim #1 stated that he heard what the suspect was yelling at his wife and he feared what might happen to his wife. The suspect continued to yell, “you watch what I’m gonna to do to you” as he left.

Pelesa Ripine was transported to the FPS where he was Mirandized. He chose to waive his rights and provided a written statement.

He admitted to calling his mom out to fight him while using profanities.

The suspect was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined and await his court appearance.

The suspect’s parents provided a statement later in the day at the FPS. They said that “they have always been afraid of their son (suspect), stating that some nights they would lock their doors afraid of what their son might do to them while they were asleep.”

Victim #1 explained that in a recent incident about a month before, Pelesa approached him at about 2:00 a.m. arguing over a phone and yelling profanities.

The parents claim to have found a journal belonging to the suspect containing “dark and mysterious rituals” or what they believe to be “satanic rituals or incantations”.

They stated that they were fearful that their son would retaliate once he is released. They expressed their frustration, fear, and anxiety due to Pelesa’s endless hostile behavior being an ongoing matter.

The victims were informed how and where they could obtain a restraining order against the suspect.

The defendant is identified as a 29-year-old U.S. National.