Man banned from Laufou during probation after assault conviction

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 28-year old man convicted of assaulting another man at the parking lot of the Laufou Shopping Center while intoxicated at the beginning of this year was ordered by the court not to set foot in the Laufou parking lot during the period of his 12-month probation.

Aneseko Fetuao was initially charged with 3rd degree assault, public peace disturbance (PPD) and 3rd degree property damage, all class A misdemeanors, however under a plea agreement with the government, which was accepted by the court last week, Fetuao pled guilty to 3rd degree assault and PPD.

With his guilty plea, Fetuao admits that on Jan. 27, 2021, while he was intoxicated, he assaulted a man by punching him multiple times. His actions on that day disturbed the public peace.

When asked to recap to the court the facts of the case, the government attorney claimed that around 4:34p.m, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2021, the defendant was at the Laufou Shopping Center parking lot with some of his friends, drinking and making noise around the area.

The victim was a 39-year father of three who was sitting in his pickup truck parked at the Laufou parking lot, waiting for his wife who was talking to another relative in front of a restaurant in the area. The victim heard the defendant yelling profanities to a young man, so he told the defendant not to yell profanities because his daughter was listening. The victim got upset and told the Fetuao not to do it again.

Fetauo responded by walking over to where the victim was sitting in his vehicle and punched him in the face. The victim pushed Fetuao away, opened the door of his vehicle and exited the vehicle. As the victim exited his vehicle, Fetuao jumped in and punched the victim again causing the victim to fall down.

 As the victim fell down, Fetuao punched him again twice, before kicking him in the back while the victim was still on the ground. Another man who was at the scene jumped in and stopped the defendant. A few minutes later, police arrived and apprehended the defendant.

When given the chance to address the court, Fetuao immediately apologized to the court for his action. He also apologized to the victim for what he had done. He then asked the court for forgiveness, and another chance to continue to care for his family.

The court told Fetuao that alcohol is not a good friend to him.

Fetuao was sentenced to a period of probation of 12 months, subject to several conditions. He has to attend and complete anger management, and he is to pay a fine of $135. While he’s on probation, he is not to set foot in the Laufou parking lot nor to consume any alcoholic beverages, remain law abiding and stay away from his old friends who consume alcohol.