Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 14, 2024, a woman from Iliili contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report an unknown male sleeping inside her brother’s home.

Officers arrested the suspect later identified as Sila Malae and later charged him with:

Count 1: Trespass — a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six (6) months, a fine of $500, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $500.

According to the affidavit, an investigation of the matter disclosed that on March 14, at an unknown time, Sila Malae of Iliili unlawfully entered and remained unlawfully in the home of Suapilimai.

The investigation later revealed that Malae and a man called Jacob were on the premises at unknown hours on March 13, 2024 until the morning of March 14, 2024.

On March 14, 2024 at about 8:28 am, the woman (sister of the homeowner ) contacted TPS in regards to an unknown individual sleeping inside her brother’s home in Iliili (Golf Course).

During the interview of the woman, she verbally stated that there have been many complaints about her brother’s house. Her neighbors had informed her in regards to teenagers breaking into her brother's house along with an old individual who goes by the name of Jacob. The woman also stated that the house is vacant due to repair but these teenagers kept breaking into the house.

On the same date, at about 8:30 am, police officers proceeded to the said call in Iliili. Upon arrival they met up with the woman and another individual where they directed the officers to the house where the unknown individual was sleeping.

Officers observed an unknown male individual sleeping in one of the rooms of the house. The suspect was handcuffed and placed into the police unit.

At about 9:00 am, police officers Mirandized the defendant who agreed to provide a statement regarding the said matter.

According to Malae’s verbal statement, he was told by Jacob to sleep over with him at his family’s home. He claimed that he refused but Jacob insisted for him to hang out and sleep over since Jacob wasn’t comfortable sleeping by himself.

Malae verbally stated that he believed Jacob and stayed the night.

The defendant explained that it was early morning when he heard the door open. He said he called out for Jacob but he did not respond and then he went back to sleep until the arrival of the police officers.

Malae was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 20-year-old U.S National.