Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Three Territorial Correctional Facility inmates are now being charged in connection with the alleged beating of another inmate inside TCF two weeks ago.

The three inmates, Manu Lefatia, Reggie Va’avale and Asofa Titio made their initial appearance before District Court Judge Fiti Sunia yesterday morning. They were represented by Assistant Public Defender Anna Wells, while prosecuting the case was Assistant Attorney General Jason Mitchell.

The three inmates are each charged with 2nd degree assault and felonious restraint, both class D felonies, punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. They are also each charged with 3rd degree assault, a class A misdemeanor.

Sunia established bonds for each of the three defendants at $20,000, with the usual caveats, including not to make any direct or indirect contact with the victim nor any of the government’s witnesses (The 3 men are still inmates of TCF.).

THE AFFIDAVIT

The government claims that on Oct. 20, 2018, Deputy Commissioner Falanaipupu T. Sagapolutele contacted the DPS Vice and Narcotics Unit regarding an inmate that was allegedly assaulted in TCF, and requested an investigation regarding the matter.

The victim was another inmate by the name of Nick Mataia.

Det. L. Tafaovale of the Vice and Narcotics was assigned as lead investigator in this matter, with assistance from three other police detectives.

According to the affidavit, when Det. Tafaovale arrived at TCF, EMS personnel were already there and were assisting Mataia on to a stretcher and in to the EMS unit. Mataia at the time was still breathing but not responsive. Mataia was transported by the EMS unit to the LBJ Hospital for further treatment.

Det. Tafaovale started his investigation by interviewing several Correctional Officers (C.O), who were on duty on the morning when the alleged incident occurred including CO. Mila Mila.

Mila told the investigators that as he approached the corner of the Bravo Unit building inside TCF, he saw another inmate by the name of Va’a carrying and assisting Mataia to inside the Bravo Unit building. He stopped and asked Va’a what was happening with Mataia; and Va’a informed Mila that Mataia was sick and had just finished throwing up (vomiting).

However, Mila noticed blood on Mataia’s facial area and grabbed him. Inmate Sui Tago Jr assisted Mila in carrying Mataia to the front office and then notified the watch commander.

C.O Iulio Afoa was also interviewed by the investigators regarding this matter, as he was assigned to the Bravo Unit that houses inmates with pending cases, including Mataia. The unit also houses some inmates for disciplinary actions due to violating TCF policies.

Afoa told investigators that he was about to secure the Bravo Unit after visitation hours for pending inmates when he encountered Mataia along with the three defendants inside Lefatia’s cell. Afoa informed them that he was going to secure the whole building; and asked all of them, including Mataia if they were ‘ok’ and all acknowledged by nodding their heads. Afoa stated that Lefatia told him that they were almost done discussing family matters with his cousin Mataia.

Afoa then walked out of the cell, followed by Titio and met another inmate who had requested to go to the Western Union. Afoa took the inmates to the front office and left them there. When he returned to Bravo unit, Afoa stated he saw EMS units in the TCF compound and found out that Mataia was assaulted by other inmates.

Inmate Tago Jr, who is one of Mataia’s roommates was not present during the incident; however he helped C.O Mila carry Mataia to the front office — and therefore was interviewed by investigators.

Tago told investigators that while assisting Mataia to the front office, he asked Mataia what happened, and Mataia told him that Lefatia had beat him up.

Another of Mataia’s roommates, Peniata Ala was inside their cell with Mataia before the alleged beating took place. Ala told investigators that Titio came to their cell and asked for food during visitation hours. Ala told investigators they gave Titio food and he left, however he came back a few minutes later while just he (Ala) and Mataia were inside the cell.

Titio then asked Mataia to come out that Lefatia wanted to talk to him. Mataia then left with Titio and about about 10 minutes later, Ala said he got word that Mataia  had gotten beaten up.

When questioned by investigators regarding the alleged incident, all three defendants denied any knowledge about the incident.

Titio denied the allegation that he went to Mataia’s holding cell and asked Mataia to come for a meeting at Lefatia’s request. He told investigators that he only went to Mataia’s cell to get food after visitation hours and left but never return.

Co-defendants Va’avale told investigators that he was with Lefatia and Titio inside Lefatia’s cell.

Va’avale then asked investigators what had happen; and they informed him about the incident and their efforts to find out who was responsible. Va’avale told investigators that he was not a “bra-panty” and that he is not going to say anything. Furthermore, Va’avale admitted that he was inside Lefatia’s cell, but refused and denied any involvement in assaulting Mataia.

When questioned by investigators, Lefatia stated that an inmate by the name of Va’a brought Mataia inside his cell while he was bloody and injured; he then helped clean up Mataia by wiping off the blood. Moment’s later, inmates Va’avale and Titio came into his cell, and he chased them both out and sent Va’a to take Mataia to the front office for help. Lefatia further stated to investigators that he doesn’t want to be responsible and to be blamed for Mataia’s injuries.

On Monday, Oct. 21, three days after the alleged incident, investigators interviewed Mataia on his sick-bed inside the ICU during visitation hours.

Mataia stated that after his visitation with his wife and son, he walked up to his cell at the Bravo Unit. As he was inside his cell with one of his other cellmates, he noticed Titio walking up to their cell and asking his cellmate, Methodist Kuka for some food, and Kuka gave Titio a plate of food. Titio then left their cell.

Fews moment later, Titio came back again and this time told him (Mataia) that Lefatia wanted to talk to him. Mataia left his cell and went with Titio to Lefatia’s cell. Mataia entered Lefatia’s cell and Titio followed behind him.

Mataia’s stated that someone locked the chain to Lefatia’s cell from the outside preventing him from leaving. When he was inside, he saw Lefatia approach him and punch him in the face. He also saw Titio punch him from behind and as Lefatia and Titio continued the assault, he noticed Va’avale sitting nearby holding a chain in his hand.

Mataia stated that both Lefatia and Titio stopped punching him and Lefatia asked Va’avale if he want to say anything to him (Mataia), and Va’avale said, “I just want to come punch that guy’s mouth with the chain.”

Lefatia then got the chain from Va’avale and allegedly swung the chain at him (Mataia) hitting the left side of his face. Mataia also stated that Lefatia also used the chain to strangle him with it, and he was in and out consciousness during the assault but eventually was able to walk out.

Investigators searched Lefatia’s cell and seized a 2ft chain and silver lock; a red ie lavalava used as a door curtain, and a red and blue shower towel with what appeared to be blood stains on it. Investigator also observed what appeared to be blood stains on the right side of the cell wall and were able to use a tissue to swab a sample of the blood observed there.

Investigators further received a report from the primary physician who attended Mataia when he arrived at the Emergency Room of the LBJ Hospital.

According to a verbal statement, Dr. Lavenia Inoke stated that Mataia had a visible swelling on his facial area and a laceration on his upper lips. Dr. Inoke also stated that Mataia possibly had a concussion.

Mataia was later transferred and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to a swelling on the left side of his brain.