Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 9, 2024, Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call regarding a male individual who was allegedly blocking the road with piles of rocks and causing a peace disturbance.

The defendant was later apprehended and 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 9th, at around 2:27 a.m, a man reported a male individual known as John Matagilele blocking the road in Futiga with large rocks and walking around yelling profanities in Samoan.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene near U.S Mart they noticed piles of rocks being laid on both lanes of the road.

Several bystanders approached the officers stating that Matagilele (defendant) had been drinking near the store the whole night before and blocking the road for no reason. Police officers proceeded to locate the defendant around the area and seeking help from one of the off-duty officers.

Police officers cleared out the area but the defendant was nowhere to be found.

Due to the defendant being armed and dangerous to the public, authorities patrolled the area in hopes of locating the defendant, to no avail. Officers advised one of the males at the scene to contact the TPS when Matagilele gets back home.

At around 4:16 a.m., TPS was notified by the defendant’s family that Matagilele was at home and they were afraid because of the mental state he is in.

Police officers responded again and were advised that the defendant was in the kitchen. Police officers apprehended the defendant and transported him to the TPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the station, the defendant was Mirandized and refused to make a statement.

The defendant 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 26-year-old citizen of Samoa.