Drunk man allegedly insists on fighting

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 22, 2025, the Tafuna Police Substation received a call regarding an alleged assault of three people, including a minor.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2, 3, & 4: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

Court records that were filed on Nov. 24, 2025, reveal that on Nov. 22nd, at about 1:40 p.m., an individual (later identified as the reporter) contacted the TPS and reported that Fenika Fruean (the suspect) was causing a disturbance at her home in Faleniu.

The reporter alleged that the suspect was yelling out profanities in Samoan and also punched a minor (later identified as victim #1) in the mouth.

Police officers responded to the call and, upon arrival at the scene, made contact with the reporter. According to the reporter, the suspect came over to her house drunk and caused a disturbance. She also alleged that the suspect punched her little brother’s (minor/ victim #1) mouth while yelling profanities in Samoan.

The reporter continued that she tried to chase the suspect home, but he refused and insisted on staying to fight.

Authorities met with victim #1 and interviewed him. He told the officers that he and his brother-in-law (victim #2) were in the umu preparing food. The suspect walked in drunk and kicked the pot, causing it to fall on the ground. The suspect challenged them to fight.

Victim #1 stated that he was holding a machete and started to laugh at the suspect. The suspect then walked over to him and told him to give him the machete. He threw the machete to the ground, and the suspect punched him in the mouth.

Victim #2 was also interviewed and corroborated victim #1’s statement. He further stated that he intervened and tried to stop the fight, but the suspect turned around and punched him in the chest and swore at him. He then pushed the suspect out of the umu and went to the house to wake the reporter’s husband (later identified as victim #3) to calm the suspect.

However, while victim #3 was trying to calm the suspect down, the suspect also punched him in the mouth, causing victim #3 to punch him back. Victim #2 jumped in to stop the fight, but was smashed by the suspect in the chest.

Victim #2 went back to the umu to clean up the mess, and the suspect followed him and punched victim #2 in the mouth, and they got into a fight.

Victim #2 then took the minor into the house while the suspect continued to yell out profanities.

Authorities were also able to interview victim #3, and he stated that he was sleeping in his room and was woken up by victim #2. He was told that the suspect was outside fighting with victim #1 and victim #2. He walked outside to calm the suspect, but the suspect punched him in the mouth. In turn, he punched the suspect’s mouth and pushed him away. He told the suspect to go home, but he refused to go home and wanted to stay and fight.

The suspect was Mirandized and acknowledged that he understood his rights and was willing to provide a statement.

The suspect claimed that “nothing happened” and that all his injuries were from when he fell into the river near his home.

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

The defendant is identified as a 39-year-old U.S national.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court. ra]