Young man in jail after mother of young girl confronts him

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 22-year-old male from Samoa accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl is now in custody after he was arrested two weeks ago.

The defendant, Sitivi Tololi, a fish cleaner at the cannery made his initial appearance in District Court two weeks ago.

He is charged one count of 1st- degree sexual abuse, a class D felony, along with two misdemeanors charges of 3rd- degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Bail is set at $5,000.

THE CASE

On the morning of Oct. 1, 2022, Central Police Station in Fagatogo received a call from a father requesting police assistance regarding his daughter who’s in the 9th grade.

According to the caller, his daughter had been very traumatized by the actions of the defendant towards her. The defendant was later identified as Sitivi Tololi.

Several officers met up with the caller (father) and his daughter (victim) at their residence and the father briefed officers regarding what allegedly happened. Both the father and his daughter were transported to the Fagatogo Cenrtal Police Station (FCPS) for investigation.

Upon arrival at the FCPS, investigators learned that the incident in question occurred on Sept. 24, 2022 and they asked the father why it was not reported the moment it was discovered?

The father stated that his wife did not report it because they were looking for the unknown male and his place of residence, to confirm his identity.

The victim was interviewed in the presence of her father, and according to the victim’s statement, around 4p.m on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, she went with her young siblings to the laundromat to drop off laundry.

As they were walking, the victim stated she didn’t know someone was walking behind her until she felt someone touch her inappropriately. Turning around she saw a male that she then cussed at. The male was later identified as Sitivi Tololi, the defendant in this matter.

The victim further stated that she was scared and traumatized and ran to the church with her little siblings where her mother was, and explained to her mother what the suspect had done. According to the victim, she could smell alcohol on his breath and his eyes were red — and he had slurred speech.

The mother was able to confront the defendant and ask him why he did that to her daughter. In response, the defendant denied the allegation and told the victim’s mother that he didn’t do anything to her daughter.

Five days later on Sept. 29, the victim’s father went to the store next to the laundromat and viewed video footage that captured the picture of the defendant. He went home and showed it to his daughter (victim) and wife who confirmed that he was the one.

On Oct. 1, investigators located the defendant and he was arrested at his residence and taken to the FCPS for questioning.

The defendant was Mirandized and he refused to make a statement regarding the allegation against him.

TAULAGI TAPELU

A 30-year-old man who was convicted of stealing and later selling power tools has been ordered to pay a $1,000 fine as a condition of his 7-year probation sentence.

Taulagi Tapelu was convicted of stealing — a felony, punishable by a term of imprisonment of seven years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

During sentencing, Tapelu apologized to the court for what he did and asked for a second chance to return home to his family. He also apologized to the company that was affected by his actions and promised the court he would never do it again.

His defense attorney and the prosecutor asked the court for a probated sentence without any jail time.

The prosecutor informed the court that the defendant stole several power tools and then sold them to a third party who has since returned the stolen tools to the owner, and the defendant had already paid the third party back the money he received for the sale of the tools.

The court told Tapelu that in the year since this matter has been dragging on, it has presented unusual circumstances.

The court normally goes straight to sentencing after a 'change of plea' within a month, but in this case, the one year period during which the case has been stalled, has been to his advantage because it has given the court the opportunity to see his behavior out in public, and he has done well, which tells the court he is someone who'll do well on probation.

The court sentenced Tapelu to 7 years probation, under the condition that he serves 28 months in jail. The defendant was credited for the 179 days he served in prison last year, and the balance of his detention term was stayed, as long as he complies with all conditions of his probation.

He is also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine within 6 months, and he is not to make contact with the company that was affected by his actions. Other restrictions were also imposed, including that he remain a law-abiding citizen.

FILIPO LAFAELE

A young man accused of assaulting his girlfriend and threatening to kill her during a domestic dispute has been arrested and charged.

Filipo Lafaele, also known as Sile appeared in District Court for his initial appearance.

He’s charged with one count of 2nd- degree assault, a class D felony, along with 4 misdemeanors charges including resisting arrest, 3rd -degree assault, 2nd- degree property damage and private peace disturbance (PPD).

Bail is set at $8,000.

THE ALLEGATION

The government alleges that on the night of Oct. 2, 2022, police at the FCPS received a phone call from a man requesting police assistance regarding people causing a disturbance by yelling out profanities and making loud noises in the neighborhood.

Several police officers responded to the call and met up with the reporter, along with a female, who was later identified as the defendant’s girlfriend.

Officers observed that the female’s hands were bleeding and she was nervous. When questioned by officers about her injury, the woman explained what had happened between her and her boyfriend, the defendant in this matter.

The girlfriend told officers that she and her boyfriend were arguing over a couple of things while heading home after their Sunday lunch. She said things escalated to the point where her boyfriend punched through the rental car window. Matters moved to inside the house where her boyfriend began destroying her belongings.

The victim explained that she ran towards him trying to recover some of her stuff before he destroyed them too, but was taken aback when he raised his hand and slapped her across the face.

The victim defended herself by poking him with one of her dull tipped darts, which she said finally stopped her boyfriend from destroying her stuff, but he continued to threaten her.

The victim explained she approached her boyfriend with her scissors and darts when he tackled her. Her feet got tangled up in the extension cords, which caused the room lights to go out; and, she lost hold of her scissors and darts as she fell. In the milieu, her boyfriend somehow was able to find and grab the scissors and darts, hurting and cutting her in the process.

Upon obtaining the victim’s statement, investigators proceeded to Pago Pago to locate the defendant but he was nowhere to be found. They finally spotted him walking on the road.

One officer called out to the defendant’s name and instructed him to come, however, the defendant refused and fled across the road. A chase ensued with police, ending with Lafaele being apprehended.

The defendant was Mirandized and he refused to make a statement.

He told investigators that he’s still on probation from previous cases.

Lafaele was later transported to the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) where he was booked and detained.

JOSEPH FAATULI

After violating conditions of probation from a previous case, Joseph Faatuli was ordered last week to serve 30 days without release at the TCF.

Faatuli was convicted in January 2022 for PPD and sentenced last week to 16 months probation.

Six months after the January incident, Faatuli was again charged in another PPD disturbance and at that time was sentenced to 18 months probation.

Then last month, the Probation Office filed a motion to void the defendant’s probation for failure to comply with all conditions of his probation.

In its motion, the Probation Office informed the court that Faatuli tested positive for THC/ marijuana. Additionally, Faatuli failed to visit the Probation Office once a month and did not attend and complete anger management classes as well as alcohol counseling classes.

The court agreed with the Probation Office and Faatuli was sentenced to 30 days in jail without release.

Upon release from detention, Faatuli was ordered to comply with all conditions of his 18-month probation, especially the condition to stay clean and sober.

MAVAEGA SINOTI

A man accused of cursing and causing a disturbance in his neighborhood on Sept. 26 has been charged with three misdemeanor counts of public peace disturbance, resisting arrest, and escaping from confinement.

According to court information, police received several calls from neighbors regarding Mavaega Sinoti, who was swearing at them and causing trouble. When police went to look for him in Ili’ili, the defendant allegedly took off.

Sinoti was later found at his home, where he again resisted arrest and ran down the road. However, police apprehended him and took him to the TPS, where Sinoti complained of pain in the abdominal area and breathing problems. He requested medical assistance and the EMS showed up.

He then requested further medical treatment at LBJ Hospital and EMS transported him there, according to court documents, which also states that police called ahead to notify LBJ security.

Upon arrival at the hospital, Sinoti fled before he could be treated, the government alleges. The defendant was later apprehended.

After his initial appearance in District Court last week, he was released on his own recognizance under special conditions that include no contact with the government’s witnesses.

Sinoti is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 19 for a pretrial conference.