Man arrested for indecent exposure while children played nearby

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 24, 2025, a man contacted the Leone Police Substation (LPS) regarding another male individual who allegedly took off his wrap-around (ie lavalava) while his kids were playing outside the house.

The suspect was later apprehended and charged with Count 1: Indecent Exposure, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

According to the court affidavit, on May 24th, at approximately 5:05 p.m., LPS received a call from a man (the reporter) requesting police assistance.

The reporter stated that Sefo Konelio, (the suspect) took his ‘ie lavalava’ off and showed his genitals from his home, while the reporter’s children were playing in front of their own home.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, the reporter briefed the officers regarding the incident and mentioned that this is not the first time Konelio has shown his genitals out in public.

He told officers that he approached Konelio about his actions but the suspect yelled at him and told him he had no right to tell him what to do.

The reporter was asked to proceed to the station for a written statement regarding the incident.

Authorities went to the suspect's house where he was located, apprehended and transported to the police station for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the station, police officers interviewed the reporter’s son (later identified as one of the victims). The victim explained that he was playing outside with his little sister in front of their family yard. His sister (another victim) stopped and pointed to their neighbor’s (suspect) house who was seen standing next to his house facing their home without any clothes on, and waving his ie lavalava in the air.

The victim said he told his father who was working on his car at the time about what had happened. His father approached Konelio but the suspect told his dad in Samoan, using a swear word that he has no business with him — what he wants to do. At this point, his father contacted the authorities for assistance.

The victim also mentioned that this is not the first time the suspect has taken off his ie lavalava and showed his private parts from his house.

The officers then interviewed the 5 year-old victim but she wasn’t able to say anything. The minor victim was frightened and only mentioned she was scared of the suspect.

The suspect was Mirandized to which he waived his rights and agreed to make a statement.

According to the suspect, he was all sweaty and he took off his ie lavalava to wipe his face. The suspect claimed that he didn’t know that his private parts were showing. When asked if he was wearing his ie lavalava when the children were playing outside, the suspect admitted that he did take it off. He further noted that he usually doesn't wear any shorts underneath his ie lavalava when he’s at home.

The suspect was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.