Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 19, 2024, a man contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) regarding a disturbance in the village of Iliili.

Luka Tapuaialupe was apprehended and later charged with the following:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree — a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300, or both;

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance — a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300, or both; and,

Count 3: Trespass — a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six (6) months, a fine of $500, or both.

No bail was noted in court documents.

According to the affidavit, on March 19, at about 5:55 p.m, TPS was notified by Iakopo Stanley about a disturbance in the village of Iliili.

Mr. Stanley (later identified as the victim) stated that his uncle Luka Tapuaialupe (defendant) walked to his property and confronted him about how he had carelessly driven his vehicle past the front of his house.

The victim allegedly explained that the defendant walked up to the front window of his home while holding a stick and verbally threatened to kill him. Stanley also stated that he gave the defendant several verbal commands to leave his property however the defendant refused to comply.

Stanley noted that his neighbor overheard the argument between him and the defendant.

Police officers approached the neighbor (witness) to which she corroborated with the statement provided by the victim. According to the witness’s verbal and written statement, she said she heard Stanley and his uncle arguing and she heard the defendant saying in Samoan “that he was going to kill the victim” and continued to swear in Samoan.

Upon approaching the defendant’s house who lives roughly 80- 90 feet away from the victim, the police officers met with an old Samoan male who walked towards the police unit.

The old man was asked by one of the officers if he could speak with Luka, in which the old man replied that “he is Luka”.

The officer then informed the defendant of the reason why they were there.

Mr. Tapuaialupe was apprehended and placed inside the police unit and transported to TPS for processing.

When officers arrived at TPS Tapuaialupe was Mirandized to which he said he understood and refused to sign, he also refused to make a statement.

The defendant was then booked and then transported to Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 65-year-old citizen of Samoa.