Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 23, 2024, police officers conducted a traffic stop that resulted in the arrest of the passenger who allegedly asked the authorities if he could drink his beer during the traffic stop.

The suspect, Junior Fa’avae was apprehended and later charged with  Count 1: Prohibited Place of Consumption, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a term of up to six months, a fine of $500.00 or both.

There was no bail set for the defendant.

According to the court affidavit, investigation disclosed that on Dec. 23rd, at approximately 3:40 a.m., a police unit patrolling near Nu’uuli observed a vehicle traveling in the eastbound lane without a visible license plate.

A traffic stop was initiated and upon approaching the vehicle, the officers observed two males exiting from the vehicle.

During the interaction with the driver, the officers observed an open can of beer located in the cupholder of the middle compartment. The passenger admitted that  the beer belonged to him and requested to consume his beer right there during the stop.

The driver, however, failed to present a valid driver’s license or any form of identification to verify his identity. Therefore, they were both detained and placed inside the police unit and their vehicle was operated and impounded to the station by an officer.

Upon arrival at the station, the driver, who was later identified as Lualima Tupuola was issued a citation and released to go home.

On the other hand, the passenger, Fa’avae was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility awaiting the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 24-year-old U.S National.