Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 19, 2024, a male individual in his late 60s contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) requesting assistance regarding a suspect causing a disturbance in the village.

The defendant was apprehended and later charged with Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for six months, a fine of $500, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $500.

According to the affidavit, on August 19, 2024 at approximately 2:49 p.m, FPS received a call from a male individual requesting assistance regarding Gibson Siafau (later identified as the defendant). The defendant was allegedly causing a disturbance and making unreasonable noises.

The reporter stated that the defendant was yelling profanities and shouting the Samoan war cry (fa’aamu) and it alarmed the neighborhood during the altercation.

Police officers responded and met up with the reporter (later identified as the victim) who was in his late 60s, who explained the incident.

The victim stated that he heard the defendant yelling profanities, making unreasonable noises ( Samoan war cry), and calling out anyone to challenge him.

The victim stated that after the altercation, the defendant went home.

He then walked over to the defendant’s home, and called the defendant out and asked him why he was yelling profanities. The victim walked outside holding a baseball bat and approached him in a hostile manner, telling him to get away from his house while continuing to yell out profanities.

After the victim briefed the officers about what had happened, the officers proceeded to the defendant’s house and asked him politely to come outside. According to one of the responding officers, the defendant walked outside and said that he did not do anything.

However, the officers apprehended the defendant and placed him inside the police unit.

Before leaving the scene, the officers were approached by an unknown male (later identified as a witness). The witness stated that he heard loud noises coming from the LMS Chapel of someone yelling profanities. The witness explained that both him and his son witnessed the incident however his son left before the police arrived. The witness informed the officers that he would bring his son into the FPS to write his statement.

The defendant was transported to the FPS and upon arrival he was Mirandized and refused to make a statement.

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

The defendant is identified as a 23-year-old U.S National.