Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — One of the co-defendants in a 2021 case, where the windshield of a vehicle was damaged as well as a window of a restaurant in the Tafuna area is now in custody after being arrested last month.

Uati Iefata made his initial appearance in Court last month

He is charged with one count of 1st-degree property damage, a class D felony, along with public peace disturbance, a misdemeanor.

Bail is set at $5,000.

The government alleges that on Dec. 28, 2021 a fight broke out in a restaurant’s parking lot in the Tafuna area. The fight moved to Fogagogo and then back to restaurant parking lot.

Four suspects were alleged to be involved in the fight. There were Nathan Avau, Kovati Iese and Fitusefulu Ale and Uati Iefata.

Avau, Iese and Ale have already been charged in this matter and their cases are pending in court.

Defendant, Iefata was on the loose, but is now in custody after being arrested last month.

The victim and her boyfriend and some of their friends were at a restaurant eating when the fight broke out. They tried to stop the fight but they couldn’t.

When someone mentioned that the police were coming, the suspects immediately left the restaurant. On his way out of the restaurant, co-defendant Avau punched the window of the restaurant, damaging it.

Once in the parking lot, one of the co-defendants, Iese jumped on the hood of the victim’s truck and kicked the windshield, damaging it. Ale punched one of the victims in the face.

Defendant Uati Iefata is alleged to have punched the passenger side window of the victim’s truck, damaging it. Multiple people on the scene witnessed the damage to the truck, including the victim.

The defendant then smashed the restaurant’s glass door with a rock.

Avau, Iese and Ale were arrested and provided their statements to police regarding the alleged incident. In his statement, Avau admitted to stomping on the front windshield of the truck. Iese in his statement admitted being involved in the fight and punching the restaurant’s window. Ale admits that he punched one victim in the face.

Iefata was not questioned because he was nowhere to be found.

MALAKI TANUVASA

The driver of a pick-up truck later identified as Malaki Tanuvasa  was pulled over by police officers last month for failure to stop at a stop sign is now charged with violating local drug laws. The pick-up almost collided with another vehicle.

When he was stopped, officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from the driver’s breath and asked him if he was under the influence of alcohol, to which he replied, “No.”

Officers asked the driver again if he’s sure that he’s not under the influence of alcohol, the driver paused for few seconds before he replied, “Yes, I consumed a few beers at my friend’s house and I also got some illegal stuff on me.”

Officers asked the driver what stuff he was referring to, the driver replied that he got illegal meth that his friend gave to him for his own personal use. Officers then instructed the driver to step out of his vehicle.

It was at that time the driver pulled out two small baggies containing a white substance and handed them over to police officers. He also pulled from his left pocket one hand rolled marijuana cigarette and handed it over to the officers. A pat down was conducted and nothing else was found.

Tanuvasa was transported to the TPS for further investigation, and his vehicle was also impounded.

After being Mirandized, Tanuvasa told investigators that wanted to make a statement regarding the incident.

According to his written statement, Tanuvasa told investigators that the illegal drugs found in his possession were given to him by his friend from Iliili. Tanuvasa stated that he visited his friend’s house after work and had a few beers before heading back home.

During their drinking session, his friend gave him meth and marijuana for his personal use. The defendant further stated to investigators that he knew that his friend has been involved in selling drugs from his home. He told investigators that he doesn’t sell drugs but he only uses them.

Tanuvasa made his initial appearance in court last month.

He’s charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, both unclassified felonies, along with a class A misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

Bail was set at $10,000.