Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 3, 2023, a woman contacted 911 to report a man allegedly causing a disturbance in their family home in Pava’ia’i.

The defendant was apprehended and later charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance — a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300 not more than $150, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

According to the affidavit, on April 3, around 4:46 p.m, a woman contacted the police to report a male individual who she said was intoxicated and disturbing the peace in Pava’ia’i.

Police officers were dispatched to the scene and upon arrival met up with the female individual who called in the report.

According to the reporter, the male individual identified as Vaioletama Filisounuu had been drinking alcoholic beverages the whole day. She stated that the suspect was disturbing the peace by making unreasonable noises and yelling profanities, alarming neighbors. The reporter also stated that the suspect was yelling profanities at his brother. Moreover, the reporter said that they wanted the suspect confined because the suspect will continue to bother them, particularly his brother the whole night.

After officers interviewed the reporter, they interviewed the suspect’s brother. The suspect’s brother stated that he and his brother argued about the defendant’s habit of drinking alcohol.

He explained that the argument escalated to the point where the defendant threatened to hurt him while yelling profanities at him. The defendant’s brother stated he didn’t like how his sister had to hear the defendant’s cursing and disrespectful ways. He stated that the defendant needs to be confined because his actions will cause their family to pay a fine to the village council.

The defendant was later apprehended and transported to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the defendant was Mirandized, which he understood and refused to make a statement.

The defendant was later booked and then transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined and to await the next sitting of the District Court.

During the booking process, officers could smell a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the defendant.

The defendant is identified as a 57-year-old U. S National.

GABRIEL NAITAKA

On March 30, 2024, a mother contacted the police to request assistance regarding her son who allegedly assaulted her.

The son was apprehended and later charged with the following:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV) — a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

According to the affidavit, on March 30, around 1:02 a.m, a woman contacted the TPS regarding her son Gabriel Nadaika, who allegedly assaulted her.

Officers responded to the call and upon arrival met up with the woman (victim) who briefed the officers about the incident.

The victim pointed out the defendant and police officers apprehended him and placed him in police custody, and he was transported to the TPS for further investigation.

According to the victim, she stated that her son was shouting profanities and telling her to get out of his house. The victim also stated the defendant pushed her twice and she fell on the floor and then the defendant attempted to punch her. Moreover, she explained that the defendant was intoxicated.

A witness was also interviewed and she stated that she was inside her room with her aunt and suddenly the defendant knocked on the door. She explained that when her aunt opened the door, the defendant yelled profanities and pushed her aunt twice and that’s why they went to their neighbor’s house.

The defendant is identified as a 34-year-old citizen of Fiji.