Four charged in alleged assault all tell the same story

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 11, 2024, a female individual contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report an alleged assault of her 13 year-old nephew.

As a result, four individuals were arrested and charged.

Noah Ah Far was charged with Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both. Bail was set at $300 for Ah Far.

Atafa Auau, Onomei Siaki and Kauni Siaki were charged with Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both. The three affidavits for these males do not state bail amounts.

The four affidavits are identical in their description of the incident and who was involved.

According to the affidavits, on September 11th, at around 8:33 p.m, a female individual (reporter) contacted the TPS regarding her 13 year-old nephew (victim) who was allegedly slapped by his uncle Noah Ah-Far (suspect #1).

An investigation of the incident also revealed that the victim’s brother, Atafa Auau, retaliated by going to his uncle’s home and challenging him to a fight.

The victim’s brother’s (suspect #2) actions were reported to have alarmed everyone at the scene who were trying to hold him back. Family members and neighbors tried to calm Auau down but they couldn’t.

As a result, one of the cousins, Onomei Siaki (suspect #3) approached Auau, but he was pushed away by Auau, which led Mr. Siaki to punch him. The two then got into a physical fight where several family members and neighbors stepped in to break up the fight.

After the fight was broken up, a female individual named Kauni Siaki (suspect #4) got into a verbal argument with Kristen Isaako (reporter & witness) because she kept telling Ms Siaki numerous times to leave the Ah Far property.

The affidavits report that Ms Siaki got mad and threatened Ms Isaako, stating that she was going to slap and strangle her. It was also revealed that Ms Isaako and her son (suspect #3) also threatened another male individual by telling him, “See what’s going to happen to you tonight.” The threat was allegedly said repeatedly and the male individual found it offensive.

Police officers arrived at the scene and observed that the crowd had already dispersed. One of the officers approached the reporter and gathered information regarding the incident. The reporter pointed to where the suspects were and the officers apprehended three of the suspects and placed them into the police units.

At about 9:40 p.m., the victim’s mother was interviewed at the TPS.

She stated that her son (a 13 year-old minor) told her that he was slapped by his uncle Marcus Ah-Far a.k.a Noah Ah-Far. She also stated that she told her son, Atafa Auau what happened, and three of her sons went to confront Ah Far, with Atafa challenging Ah Far to a fist fight.

At about 9:45 p.m., the officers interviewed the victim at the TPS in the presence of his mother. The victim explained that Ah Far slapped him and cussed him out in front of the bus stop near their home. He told the officers that the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m but he didn’t go home until it was 7:00 p.m.

Police were also able to interview a male individual involved in the incident at the TPS. He stated that Onomei Siaki (suspect #3) and his mom (suspect #4) threatened him and he claimed that he felt threatened by them, but he did not witness what happened.

The reporter and also a witness were interviewed. She stated that Atafa approached Ah Far and asked him if he wanted to fight but Ah Far did not respond. She explained that To’o a.k.a Onomei Siaki approached Atafa and asked if he wanted to fight, so they fought. The witness said that she and her husband tried to break up the fight while Onomei’s mother was yelling and threatening her. She claimed that Kauni Siaki told her that “she was going to slap her and choke her” several times.

Another witness was also interviewed and she stated that her son was questioned if he saw Ah Far slap the victim to which he said no. However, she stated that Atafa approached Ah Far and wanted to fight him, and they tried to calm Atafa down. Eventually Onomei stepped in and fought with Atafa.

Moreover, the witness claimed that she witnessed Kauni yelling and threatening Kristen Isaako, after another male individual told Onomei to leave. Onomei then challenged the male individual to a fight.

Another witness came forward and stated that Atafa and his brothers, including their mother, came over to Ah Far’s house and asked him if slapped their little brother. Ah Far denied slapping the victim. However, Ah Far got mad and yelled at them for accusing him. Atafa’s brothers tried to calm down Atafa but he ended up fighting with Onomei. The witness also claimed that she witnessed Kauni threaten Kristen.

Based on the statements from the victim and his mother, Noah Ah-Far assaulted the victim in front of the public highway near Ah Far’s home.

After reviewing information, police officers proceeded to the scene to locate Mr. Ah Far where he was apprehended and transported to the TPS to be processed.

At around 10:52 p.m., suspect #1, Noah Ah-Far a.k.a Marcus was Mirandized and agreed to make a statement. According to Ah Far, he did not slap the victim, he only cussed him out.

Suspect #2, Atafa Auau was Mirandized to which he was willing to answer questions pertaining to the said matter.

According to Atafa, when he got off work around 8:00 p.m., he went home and he heard rumors that Ah Far had slapped his little brother. He then got angry and he approached Ah Far in front of his house when Onomei stepped in and pushed him away. He then explained he punched Onomei and they fought.

Suspect #3, Siaki Onomei was Mirandized where he refused to answer questions regarding the matter.

Suspect #4, Kauni Siaki was Mirandized and was willing to answer questions regarding the incident.

According to Kauni, she was trying to break up the fight between Atafa and Onomei. She stated she got angry at Kristen for yelling at her and her kids. So she yelled at her and threatened her.

At about 11:39 p.m., all four suspects were booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The suspects are identified as follows: Noah Ah Far is a 36 year-old U.S National;  Atafa Auau is a 21-year-old U.S Citizen; Onomei Siaki is an 18-year-old U.S National; and, Kauni Siaki is a 45-year-old citizen of Tonga.