Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man arrested for disturbing the public peace in front of a church in the Tafuna area is now charged with violating local drug laws.

Frank Sega made his initial appearance in Court last month.

He is charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth, an unclassified felony, punishable by imprisonment from 5-10 year, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.

The court set bail at $5,000.

THE CASE

According to the court affidavit, it was late Friday night, Jan. 23, 2022, when the TPS received a phone call from a woman seeking police assistance regarding young men drinking and fighting in front of a church in Tafuna. They were, according to the caller, allegedly yelling profanities and throwing beer bottles on the sidewalk.

Several police officers responded and observed a young male sitting in front of an abandoned house adjacent from the church. The young male appeared to be hurt, blood streaming down from his face (right eye). He was later identified by bystanders from around the area as a local boy from the village named “Franky”. Franky was later identified as Frank Sega, the defendant in this case.

The defendant was treated by EMS personnel at the TPS, before he was transported to the LBJ Hospital for further treatment.

Before the defendant was transported to the LBJ, police conducted a body search. The defendant emptied out his pants pocket and a stamp size baggie with a white crystalline substance residue was discovered. The white crystalline substance was tested and confirmed positive for meth.

The defendant was then transported to the LBJ Hospital for treatment and discharged early morning the next day.

Around 10:50p.m on Jan. 25, two days after the defendant was arrested, investigators questioned him at TCF regarding the stamp sized baggie they had found on him on the night in question, when he was assaulted by some unknown male individuals.

After being Mirandized, the defendant stated that he understood and wished to make a statement.

According to the defendant’s statement, he was at his friend’s party on the night of the incident and when he left to go home he got beat up by people he doesn’t know. He was drunk and decided to do a stupid move and “Faaumu” (Samoan war cry).

According to the defendant’s statement to investigators, the meth found inside his pocket was not even his. He stated he was shocked when the police said they found it in his pants.