Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 4, 2026, a mother in distress contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report her son, who had recently been released from prison after serving approximately ten years, was causing a disturbance.

The suspect, Lauolefiso Naea was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both fine and imprisonment; and,

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to court documents, police officers responded to the call immediately, after the woman who called alleged that she and her daughter were in fear for their safety due to her adult son’s aggressive behavior, and she wanted him removed from the property.

Police officers arrived at the residence shortly after 8:00 a.m. and made contact with the victim, who provided investigators with details about a series of incidents that began the previous day.

The victim told police that her son had recently returned home after serving a lengthy prison sentence. She said she had hoped that his behavior had changed following his release, but according to her statement, he continued to display the same attitude and conduct that had caused problems in the past.

The victim explained that on the morning of June 3rd (the day before), she attempted to wake her son so that he could report to work. However, he allegedly refused to get up and told her that it was his decision when he would go to work. Believing there was little else she could do, she left him alone.

Several hours later, she claimed the suspect woke up and she (victim) confronted him about his failure to go to work and commented that he was lazy when it came to maintaining employment. According to investigators, the remark angered the suspect, who responded by telling his mother that the matter was none of her business. The disagreement quickly escalated into a heated verbal argument. Concerned about the situation, the victim contacted the TPS and spoke with an officer by telephone.

While she was speaking with police, the suspect allegedly continued yelling at her in the background.

Court documents stated that the officer requested to speak directly with the suspect and allegedly instructed him to leave the residence because his mother no longer wanted him there. The suspect reportedly agreed to leave.

However, according to the victim, he instead returned to his room and went back to sleep without leaving the property.

The following morning, tensions between the two escalated further.

According to the victim's statement, she again attempted to wake her son for work. This time, the suspect allegedly became angry and directed several profanities at her. She repeatedly instructed him to leave the residence, but he refused.

The victim's daughter, who witnessed part of the incident, told investigators that she heard her mother trying to persuade the suspect to go to work. She stated that the suspect responded by yelling profanities and speaking disrespectfully to their mother.

The witness said she intervened and told her brother that he was being disrespectful and needed to leave the home. Shortly afterward, the suspect exited the residence and went outside.

Believing the confrontation had ended, the victim locked the front door. However, according to the witness, the suspect became even more agitated and attempted to force his way back inside.

The witness alleged that the suspect picked up a half-brick and threatened their mother, telling her to open the door or he would throw it at her. Investigators noted that the suspect was allegedly holding the object in his hand while making the threat.

The witness further stated that the suspect continued yelling profanities and causing a disturbance outside the residence while his mother remained on the telephone with police.

The commotion eventually attracted the attention of nearby residents, who came to the area and attempted to calm the suspect down before officers arrived. Upon reaching the scene, police officers detained the suspect without further incident and transported him to the TPS for questioning.

After arriving at the station, investigators advised the suspect of his constitutional rights which he acknowledged and agreed to speak with officers.

During the interview, the suspect denied threatening his mother with a brick and denied that he had committed any wrongdoing. However, he admitted that he had yelled at his mother during the argument.

The suspect also acknowledged that a police officer had previously instructed him to leave the residence and not return. Despite this, he admitted that he remained at home because he had nowhere else to stay.

Investigators reported that the suspect declined to provide a written statement and instead chose to make only a verbal statement regarding the incident.

Following the investigation and after reviewing statements obtained from the victim and witness, police placed the suspect under arrest.

He was booked at the TPS and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he remained pending his initial court appearance.

The matter is now before the court.

The defendant is identified as a 28-year-old U.S National.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on June 05, 2026

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.]