Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 31, 2026, a 23‑year‑old woman, Meilin Taisau, was arrested at night after allegedly throwing a brick through another woman’s bedroom window.

The suspect was later charged with:

Count 1: Property Damage in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not more than $150, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, filed in the District Court on February 2, 2026, police arrived at the house of the complainant — a 23‑year‑old woman — who approached them in an anxious state and explained what had taken place moments before their arrival.

The victim told officers she had been in her bedroom when she heard Taisau calling to her from outside her window. At first, she said, Taisau spoke calmly and asked her to come outside because she “wanted to talk.” The victim said she was immediately suspicious because she could hear additional female voices outside, suggesting the situation was not simply a one‑on‑one conversation.

Moments later, the victim heard loud banging at the front door, followed by Taisau yelling profanities and demanding that she come outside. Before she could leave her room, she heard someone opening her mother’s vehicle in the carport directly next to her bedroom. When she looked outside, she saw Taisau closing the car door.

As she prepared to step into the hallway, a brick suddenly smashed through her bedroom window. Glass shattered across the room as the brick flew inside, landing in the middle of the floor. The victim told officers she immediately heard Taisau yelling, “Don’t mess with my mom,” though she insisted she had no idea why the confrontation had escalated.

Officers photographed the scene, capturing the brick on the bedroom floor, broken glass scattered across the area, and a ripped window screen. They also examined the vehicle in the carport after noticing the door had been left ajar. The victim inspected the vehicle and reported that nothing appeared to have been taken.

She estimated the cost of repairing the damaged house window at $100 to $150 and was transported to the police station to complete a written statement.

While officers were processing her statement, the victim looked outside and saw Taisau walking past the police station toward the road. She immediately notified officers, who approached Taisau and informed her a complaint had been filed against her. Taisau denied the allegations.

Officers noted a strong smell of alcohol on Taisau’s breath, and she admitted she had been drinking earlier that evening. Taisau was brought inside the station. While officers continued to question the victim in a separate room, police began processing booking paperwork for Taisau based on the victim’s identification and statements.

During the booking process, Taisau repeatedly asked to speak with the victim. Police told her that was not allowed, given that the victim was filing a complaint against her.

Shortly afterward, according to the officer’s affidavit, Taisau made an unsolicited statement expressing regret about the situation, saying she “regretted jumping in the car.”

Moments later, she stated in Samoan that she “grabbed the rock and threw it inside,” providing what officers classified as a direct admission.

Police finalized the booking and transported Taisau to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await a District Court appearance.

The defendant is identified as a 30-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.]