Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 4, 2024, a woman walked into the Central Station, crying and asked to file a report against her brother, Vagatai Tupa’i, who she claimed had threatened her.

The defendant was apprehended and later charged with Count 1— Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300, or both.

According to the affidavit, the victim provided a statement stating that about 10 am, she noticed her sister-in-law (defendant’s wife) using the sink that was outside her house. The victim stated that the sink is shared by her and her brother’s household.

She explained that while the defendant’s wife was using the sink, she noticed water was leaking down the sink and going into her home. She then scolded the defendant's wife about not using her brain because the water was going into the house.

According to the affidavit, the defendant apparently heard the victim scolding his wife and that’s when he walked out of his house and started yelling at his sister (victim). The defendant then started hitting the sink using his arms causing the sink to break then continued to punch the family’s dining table that was outside.

The victim stated that the defendant then told her that he would burn the house down.

The affidavit further stated that around 12 pm, police officers were dispatched to locate the defendant at his home in Pago Pago where he was apprehended and transported to the CPS to be booked and confined.

Upon arrival at the CPS, the defendant was Mirandized and waived his rights, providing a written statement.

He admitted to getting mad at his sister for scolding his wife causing him to break the sink. The defendant was also asked if he had threatened to burn his sister’s house and he admitted that he did say that out of anger towards his sister (victim).

He was booked and transported to the TFC to be confined to await the next sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a citizen of Samoa.