Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 67-year-old man pulled over for a traffic violation was later found to be driving with a suspended driving license.

Kalaniua Fia, a.k.a. John Fia was arrested and later charged with Count 1: Felony Driving — a class D felony punishable by imprisonment of at least 90 days and up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $5,000.

According to the affidavit, on January 27, 2024 around 6:24 p.m, police officers stationed across from Matafao Elementary School in Fagaa’alu, observed a red vehicle on the public highway heading eastbound at a high rate of speed.

Police officers utilizing a hand-held Lidar (radar gun) registered the motor vehicle coming toward them at 30 mph in a 20 mph zone. A traffic stop was conducted across from Matafao Elementary School and the driver was informed of the reason for the vehicle stop and was shown the speed that was registered on the hand-held Lidar that initiated the stop.

When the police officer asked for his driver’s license, the driver stated to have forgotten it at home. The driver then presented another form of identification card and identified himself as Fia, John.

The police officer informed his superior about the driver’s non-possession of a driver’s license and his superior asked Fia to step out of his vehicle and was later handcuffed.

Moreover, the affidavit stated that the vehicle was later impounded to the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS).

Upon review of Fia’s driver’s license on the police registration system, it was revealed that his driver’s license is suspended for driving under the influence (DUI). When Fia was informed about his suspended driver’s license, the defendant replied “that was his 3rd strike for driving under the influence which the court suspended his driver’s license”.

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

The defendant is identified as a U.S citizen.

AUKUSO LEAFA

On January 21, 2024, the security for the Bowling Alley Sports Bar
 contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) requesting assistance with removing Aukuso Leafa for causing a disturbance inside the building.

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 for the defendant was set at $500.

When police officers arrived at the scene, they noticed a crowd by the entrance of the Sports Bar. The security guard who contacted the TPS for assistance approached the officers and briefly explained what occurred. It was then that he pointed out a “shirtless drunk male and said he was the one that disturbed the peace inside the bar.”

The police officers observed the suspect trying to pick a fight with other people near the rock fence in front of the Sports Bar and apprehended the individual. As the police officers approached the suspect, they detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the suspect’s breath. Officers apprehended the suspect, placed him in the police unit, and transported him to the TPS.

According to the security guard’s (caller) written statement, “the reason why he removed this drunken male outside from the bar was because his head security told him that the drunken male was highly intoxicated and he caused other people’s beer to spill on the floor.”

The security guard further stated that while attempting to remove the suspect from the bar, the suspect took off his shirt while yelling profanities and tried to pick a fight with the head of security. He then “immediately called the police station for assistance because the suspect was also picking a fight with other people in front of the bar.”

The head of security also provided a written statement at the scene and noted that while removing the suspect, Leafa resisted, and that’s when Leafa’s elbow hit his [head of security] eye. He further stated that the suspect needed to be removed from the bar because people were beginning to complain that their beers were spilling because of the suspect.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the suspect “was asked about his information and he provided” — and was identified as Leafa, Aukuso.

The suspect was booked and confined at the TCF to await the next available sitting in court.

He is identified as 40 years old, and a Samoa citizen.