Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 16, 2026, a man identified as Malaga Junior Tagavi was accused of unlawfully entering a family’s plantation in Futiga and harvesting coconuts despite allegedly receiving multiple warnings to stay off the property. 

The suspect was later arrested and charged with Count 1: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court records, the incident occurred at approximately 6:38 p.m., when Tagavi was allegedly observed on the property using a harvesting stick to remove coconuts from coconut trees.

The matter was reported to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) at approximately 6:51 p.m., after the landowner was informed that someone had entered her plantation without permission.

Police officers responded to the scene, and upon arrival, observed a woven bag containing approximately ten coconuts and a harvesting stick measuring about ten feet in length. The items were allegedly used by the suspect to harvest coconuts from the property.

Officers photographed the bag of coconuts and the harvesting stick as part of their investigation before interviewing the landowner regarding the incident.

LANDOWNER'S STATEMENT

During an interview with investigators, the landowner stated that she owned the property in Futiga where the alleged trespassing occurred.

She explained that her grandson had returned home and informed her that he had observed someone at their family plantation. After receiving the information, she immediately contacted police to report the matter and request assistance.

According to the landowner, the individual was later identified as Tagavi, whom she alleged had entered the family's property without permission on several previous occasions.

The landowner told investigators that Tagavi had been warned multiple times not to enter the property, but he allegedly continued to disregard those warnings.

She expressed frustration over the repeated incidents, telling officers that the family had reached the point where they could no longer tolerate the suspect's alleged actions.

WITNESS' STATEMENT

Following the interview with the landowner, officers spoke with her grandson, who reportedly witnessed the incident.

According to the witness, he had attended an evening church service on September 16, 2026. Upon returning from church, he observed Tagavi at the family plantation allegedly using a long harvesting stick to knock coconuts from the trees. The witness stated that he saw the suspect collecting the coconuts and piling them on the grass.

 When the witness called out to Tagavi, the suspect reportedly fled the area, leaving behind the coconuts and the harvesting stick.

The witness then gathered the coconuts, placed them in the woven bag, and took the bag and harvesting stick back to their family residence.

Upon arriving home, he informed his grandparents about what he had witnessed at the plantation. According to the police report, the witness also provided officers with information regarding Tagavi's residence to assist them in locating him.

POLICE SEARCH FOR SUSPECT

After obtaining statements from the landowner and the witness, officers searched the surrounding area in an attempt to locate Tagavi. However, the suspect was not found during the initial search.

Officers subsequently proceeded to the area where Tagavi was believed to reside. Upon arrival, they made contact with a female individual who identified herself as the suspect's sister.

The suspect’s sister cooperated with officers and assisted them in attempting to locate her brother. She directed officers to a small shack situated in front of her residence, explaining that Tagavi lived there.

The woman reportedly knocked on the shack and called out her brother's name several times, but no one responded.

During the conversation, the suspect's sister informed police that she and her brother were related to the landowner who had reported the incident.

She further indicated that she understood the landowner's position regarding the matter and would respect whatever action the landowner believed was appropriate.

Despite the assistance provided by the suspect's sister, officers were unable to locate Tagavi at the residence.

The defendant is identified as a 52-year-old U.S national.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on Sept. 22, 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.]