Traffic stop results in arrest of woman, allegedly driving & drinking

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 19, 2025, traffic officers made a traffic stop that resulted in the arrest of a woman who was allegedly driving & drinking in the vehicle.

Emele Faimanu was later charged with Count 1: Prohibited Place of Consumption, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to $500, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant was held without bail.

Court records reveal that on October 19, 2025, at approximately 2:55 a.m., traffic officers patrolling the Iliili public highway heading west observed a vehicle ahead of them swerving and almost colliding with another car approaching from the opposite direction.

The officers conducted a traffic stop near Misa's store in Iliili.

After stopping the vehicle, the officers approached the car and observed a cup that appeared to have alcohol inside. The officers asked the female passenger what was inside the cup, and she stated that it was a Vodka Cruiser.

The female passenger was later identified as Emele Faimanu. While making contact with the suspect, police noted that she had red eyes and reeked of a strong odor of alcohol.

The suspect admitted that she had been drinking while she was driving. An empty can beer was found under the passenger's seat, and a bottle of vodka was found in the car compartment.

The suspect was arrested and taken to Tafuna Correctional facility for confinement to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 31-year-old citizen of Samoa.