Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 24, 2023, at about 8:00am, a woman contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report a male individual identified as Vaafatu Tunoa who she said was causing a disturbance in the residence. The caller claimed that Tunoa was shouting profanities and yelling war cries (faaumu) and was worried because “he was walking around with a gun.”

The defendant was charged with one count of Private Peace Disturbance (DV).

Upon arrival at the scene, police officers met with the woman who had called. She explained that when she woke up, “she discovered that there were a bunch of papaya trees and leaves inside the tomb that had been prepared for the defendant’s mother’s upcoming funeral.” She later discovered that it was the alleged defendant who caused the damage.

Police officers could not locate the suspect and left the scene.

A few hours later, the TPS received a call from the same woman who reported the same male individual continued to cause a disturbance by cursing and swearing in the front of her home.

Officers responded once again and observed the woman they spoke to earlier pointing out the alleged suspect who was sitting in front of her home. He was apprehended and transported to the TPS for further investigation.

The defendant was Mirandized and requested his lawyer. According to the affidavit, officers attempted to contact the defendant’s lawyer several times but were unable to reach the lawyer.

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

The defendant was identified as a U.S. Citizen.

LEMAFA IOSEFATU

On December 26, 2023, at about 11:09pm, a male individual contacted the TPS regarding a family member who was alleged to be heavily intoxicated and causing a disturbance. The suspect was later identified as Lemafa Iosefatu.

The defendant is charged with one count of Public Peace Disturbance (DV) — a class B misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for six (6) months, a fine of $500 but not less than $150, or both.

When police officers arrived at the scene, they saw the suspect laying down and continuously yelling. They spoke with the reporter who had contacted the TPS for assistance and he explained that while he and Iosefatu were drinking, Iosefatu “was asking him for money, but he told him that they don’t have enough [sic].”

According to the affidavit, “After about two hours, Iosefatu started yelling and cussing out everybody.” The reporter further stated that “it was getting out of control, it was late at night and he (suspect) was waking up the neighbors.”

The defendant was apprehended and transported to the TPS for further investigation. Because he could barely understand what officers instructed, he was booked and confined at the TCF to await the next available sitting of District Court.

The defendant was identified as a citizen of Samoa.

PAEA FIFITA

On December 25, 2023 — CHRISTMAS DAY — at about 2:10pm, police officers who were patrolling the Leone area observed an individual later identified as Paea Fifita yelling and causing a disturbance.

Two individuals at the scene were trying to calm the suspect; however he allegedly became violent, tried to fight back, and yelled out profanities towards family members. Officers apprehended the defendant but while trying to cuff him (suspect), officers claim he became aggressive. The officers at the scene detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath.

The father of the suspect verbally stated that his son, Fifita was intoxicated and became uncontrollable which alarmed neighbors. The father tried to calm him, yet he became even more aggressive. He continued to curse and refused to listen.

While officers spoke with the father of the suspect, the defendant continued to yell profanities and kicked the back seat of the police unit.

He transported to the Leone Police Substation (LPS) for booking. He was later confined at the TCF to await the next available sitting of District Court.

The defendant was charged with one count of Public Peace Disturbance — a class B misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for six (6) months, a fine of $500, or both.

Bail was set at $500.

The defendant is identified as a U.S. National.

DARIUS SEAGAI

On December 26, 2023, at about 12:30am, a panic-stricken woman contacted the Tafuna Police Station (TPS) to report an unknown drunken male individual who unlawfully entered and remained inside their home in Pavaiai. The man was later identified by police as Darius Seagai.

Mr. Seagai was charged with one count of Trespass — a class B misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to six (6) months, a fine of $500, or both.

Bail for the defendant was set at $500.

Upon arrival at the woman’s residence, police officers observed a large crowd standing where the suspect was sitting. Police officers met with the woman (reporter) who provided her verbal statement. She explained that the suspect was walking near every Tongan family’s house before entering her home and sitting on the floor. She felt threatened and unsafe due to the fact that she did not know this male individual. According to the affidavit, “she asked him where he came from but he replied with some nonsense words.”

Police officers approached the defendant and asked where he came from, however he did not respond. Officers apprehended the suspect and detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath.

The defendant was transported to the TPS and Mirandized.

At that time, it became apparent that the suspect was highly intoxicated and could not provide his information. However, due to prior cases involving the suspect, officers were able to identify the suspect as Darius Seagai.

The suspect was booked and confined at the TCF to await the next sitting of District Court.

The defendant is identified as a U.S. National.