Man claiming he was victim of “black magic” arrested for PPD

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 27, 2023, a man was arrested for disturbing the peace in the village of Mesepa. He claimed he was a victim of “black magic” (witchcraft) and believed that someone was controlling him.

He was charged with Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for six (6) months, a fine of $500, or both.

Bail was set at $500.

According to the affidavit, on November 27, 2023, a woman reported that an unknown individual was stoning their house. She stated that she had informed the landlord regarding the matter.

Her statement later alleged that an individual by the name of Mateloi Otuhouma was the one yelling and causing a disturbance at their residence in Mesepa. Investigation of the incident revealed a second report from another female individual stating that the landlord was outside trying to locate the individual causing a disturbance and throwing rocks at the tenant’s house.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, they observed the suspect standing outside his home with family members surrounding him and trying to detain him from fleeing the scene.

The officers met with the landlord who explained what had occurred. According to the landlord, the suspect was yelling profanities as he grabbed stones from near his house and threw them at his neighbor’s house.

Mr. Otuhouma was apprehended and transported to the Tafuna Police Substation for further investigation.

The affidavit stated that upon arrival at the TPS, Mr. Otuhouma was Mirandized, waived his rights and provided a verbal statement.

According to the affidavit, Mr. Otuhouma said that “he was at home and felt very hot.” He mentioned that he is a victim of black magic (witchcraft) and that was the reason he was causing a disturbance and acting weird — as if someone was controlling him.

The defendant was later booked and confined at Tafuna Correctional Facility until the next sitting of Court.

Mateloi Otuhouma is a U.S National and the victim is a citizen of Samoa.