Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 31, 2024, a concerned father contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) regarding his son who was allegedly causing a disturbance and damaging their property.

The defendant was apprehended and later charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both;

Count 2: Property Damage in the Third Degree (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both; and,

Count 3: Underage Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 6 months, a fine of $500, or both.

There was so no bail stated in the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, on August 31st, at about 4:46 p.m, TPS received a phone call from a male individual reporting that his son Lopeti Sili’a Wilson was causing a disturbance at their family home. He reported that the Lopeti had allegedly grabbed a rock and struck the window of the family’s home damaging the screen wire.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival met up with the reporter (defendant’s father). The father pointed out his son, who was shouting profanities and saying, “He didn’t start it”.

The officers apprehended the defendant and placed him inside the police unit.

The officers interviewed the defendant’s sister (victim), who claimed that her brother was angry because she confronted him for drinking at a young age. She explained that the Lopeti walked outside yelling profanities in Samoan.

The victim stated she tried to calm him down but he walked out of the house and struck the window with a rock. She further said that this is nothing new and it has been a daily routine for them — that is when the defendant got angry, and threatened their family. She also alleged that the defendant’s demeanor changes most of the time and that she has known of him smoking marijuana.

The victim concluded that she was scared and told her father about the defendant’s threats. She also asked her father to contact the police for help.

The defendant was transported to the TPS for the booking process.

During the booking process, police officers detected a strong odor of alcohol from the defendant’s breath, and observed red bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

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

The defendant is identified as a 19-year-old U.S Citizen.