Suspect arrested for allegedly causing trouble at a family party

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 31, 2025, a male individual called the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report his friend who was allegedly causing a disturbance at their family party.

The suspect was apprehended after trying to flee the scene and was later charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 3: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $600.

According to the court affidavit, on Jan. 31st, at around 11:37 p.m., a man (later identified as the reporter) contacted the FPS requesting police assistance concerning one of his friends (later identified as the suspect). The reporter alleged that the suspect was highly intoxicated and causing a disturbance by yelling profanities at him and his sister.

Upon receiving the call, police officers proceeded to serve the said matter and upon arrival they met with the reporter who stated that his male friend by the name of Hunter had fled the scene.

The reporter continually stated that he wanted to file a restraining order to prevent the suspect from coming to his house.

After receiving information from the reporter, the police officers canvassed the surrounding area in an attempt to locate the suspect. However, attempts were unsuccessful.

On Feb. 1st, at about 12:37 a.m., the reporter called the FPS again and reported that the suspect had returned to his residence. He stated that the suspect was again causing a disturbance by yelling out profanities at him and his family.

Moreover, the suspect also threw punches at him but he was able to hold him back with the help of his sisters.

According to one of the witnesses, the suspect was invited to their family get-together because he was one of his brother’s friends. She explained that the suspect became highly intoxicated and was yelling out profanities in a loud manner which disturbed the neighbors. The witness stated that the reporter tried to calm the suspect down but he threw punches at the reporter, which resulted in a physical altercation. The witness also stated that when her brother contacted the police for assistance, the suspect fled the scene.

However, a few minutes later, the suspect returned and again shouted profanities in Samoan and damaged properties such as the dishes on the table and a laptop that she was using was broken into pieces. The damaged laptop’s estimated value is $300.00. The suspect then turned towards the reporter and started fighting with him.

When the officers arrived at the scene, one of the officers observed the suspect trying to flee but he was apprehended and placed inside the police unit.

The suspect was transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined awaiting the next available sitting of the District Court.

Upon booking the suspect, the officers detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath.

The defendant is identified as a 30-year-old citizen of Tokelau.