Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 25, 2024, a female individual contacted the Tafuna Police Station regarding a male who was allegedly causing a disturbance and threatening to cut her head off with a machete.

The suspect 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 of $500, or both; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

There was no bail set for the defendant.

According to the court affidavit, on Dec. 25th, at about 7:36 p.m., a female (victim) contacted the TPS regarding Anesone Lama (suspect) who was intoxicated and disturbing the public peace by yelling profanities and threatening to cut off her head off.

The officers proceeded to the call and upon arrival observed the suspect lying on the grass. The officers apprehended the suspect and met up with the victim.

The victim introduced herself and briefly explained what happened.

The suspect was placed inside the police unit to be transported to the TPS for further investigation. The officers detected a strong alcoholic odor emitting from the suspect when he was interviewed at the scene.

According to the victim’s interview, Lama, who was highly intoxicated, came home and suddenly started to yell profanities at her. and threatened to cut her head off with a machete. He also tried to punch her but one of the neighbors saw this and ran to stop him. The suspect then walked away and fell down on the grass.

The victim said that this is not the first time that the suspect has done this to her.

The officers also interviewed a witness who stated that Lama came home drunk and started yelling profanities at his neighbors and the victim, and that he approached the victim and threatened to cut her head off. The suspect continued to yell out profanities and then just fell on the grass and slept.

Some of the witnesses, who were minors, also stated that this is the second time the suspect has done this.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the officers decided not to Mirandize the suspect due to his being intoxicated.

The suspect was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 41-year-old citizen of Samoa.