Young man arrested after alleged property damage

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 15, 2024, a mother contacted the Fagatogo Police Station to report her son allegedly causing a disturbance at their home.

The defendant was apprehended and charged with Count 1 — Property Damage in the Third Degree (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

According to the affidavit, on August 15th, at around 7:05 p.m, Fagatogo headquarters received a call from a female individual reporting that her son Mark Semanutafa (suspect) was making noises at their residence.

Police officers were dispatched to the call and proceeded to check out the alleged claim as reported. Upon reaching the location, the officers met with the reporter and she explained the incident to the authorities.

According to the suspect’s mother (reporter), in her written statement, the suspect came and asked her if he could use her car to do his laundry. She said no and her son went back into their house, and slammed his door and threw his clothes outside of the house. The suspect then walked back outside the house and damaged their water pipe.

The mother requested that the officers take her son to the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF).

During the booking process, the suspect was Mirandized and refused to make a statement. The suspect was processed and transported to the TCF to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 23-year-old.