Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 10, 2024, a traffic stop led to the arrest of Merota Falemiga when police pulled him over for a traffic violation.

 It was later discovered that his driver’s license had been suspended permanently by order of the District Court due to a third conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

He was charged with the following:

Count 1: Felony Driving — a Class D felony, punishable by imprisonment of not less than 90 days and not more than five years, a fine of $5,000, or both;

Count 2: Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) — a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both;

Count 3: Careless Driving — a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than 15 days, a fine of not more than $300 or both; and,

Count 4: Non Possession of a Driver’s License — a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both.

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

According to the affidavit, on February 10, 2024 at about 2:14 am, an officer was on patrol in the  Tafuna area, heading southbound in the vicinity of the TSM store, observed a motor vehicle coming in the opposite direction with its high beam lights on. The lights were so bright that the police officers stated “we could barely see the road”. For safety reasons, the officers decided to pull the vehicle over.

The officer approached the driver (later identified as Merota Falemiga) and asked for a driver’s license which he said he did not have in his possession. The police officer noticed Falemiga’s eyes were red and bloodshot and watery and he also noticed a strong smell of alcohol emitting from his breath.

Falemiga agreed to undergo the standardized field sobriety tests in which he failed all three. He also agreed to take the BAC test which was measured at 0.149%.

Upon inquiry for a driver’s license, Falemiga indicated that he did not have one.

Later Investigation revealed Falemiga’s driver’s license was permanently suspended by court order due to a third conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol.

GAOSIA SAO

On January 25, 2027, a routine inspection stop resulted in the arrest of Gaosia Sao for driving with a suspended license and without a commercial permit.

He was charged with the following:

Count 1: Felony Driving While License Is Suspended — a Class D felony, punishable by imprisonment of not less than 90 days and not more than five years, a fine of $5,000, or both;

Count 2: Non Possession of a Driver’s License — a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both; and,

Count 3: Operating a Commercial Vehicle without a Commercial Permit — a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both.

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

According to the affidavit, on January 25, 2024, while stationary in front of the Tafuna Memorial Stadium, the police officer observed a commercial vehicle traveling on the public highway and waved it over to the side of the road for a routine inspection.

Upon inspection of the vehicle, the driver was asked to provide a driver’s license and commercial permit.

The driver stated he did not have one on him.

Upon further investigation it was discovered that the driver’s driving privileges were suspended for two years by the order of the District Court, after he was convicted of DUI for a second time, and the suspension was for a period of 24 months, beginning on Apr. 5, 2023.