Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 16, 2024, a taxi driver contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report he was allegedly assaulted by the passenger he was to pick up.

The defendant was apprehended 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, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $500.

According to the affidavit, on Nov. 16th, at about 7:38 p.m., a male individual (later identified as reporter/ victim) called the TPS to report that he is a taxi driver and he was allegedly assaulted by a passenger he was picking up.

Police officers responded to the taxi stand where the victim was waiting for the officers to arrive. The officers then proceeded with the victim where he pointed out the defendant’s location.

The officers were able to locate the defendant where he resides with the help of a witness. Both defendant and witness were accompanied to the TPS for further investigation.

According to the victim (taxi driver), he went to pick up his passenger at rental housing. He parked the taxi so that the passengers could enter. The defendant then came to his side of the taxi and asked “If he wanted to fight?” He responded that he (defendant) should go to sleep as he’s drunk. The defendant became angry and punched him in his chest and jaw while he was sitting in his taxi.

The defendant’s spouse came out and intervened but the defendant slapped the hood of the taxi and approached the victim again. The taxi driver attempted to exit the taxi but the defendant approached him the second time and punched him in the mouth. At this point, he left the scene to avoid any further physical contact with the defendant.

The witness was also interviewed where he stated that he had called a taxi to take him to his residence. However, the defendant came out and slapped the hood of the car and challenged the taxi driver to a fight. The defendant then hit the taxi driver.

The defendant was Mirandized where he refused to make a statement.

It was also reported that the defendant was highly intoxicated.

He was then booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 54-year-old citizen of Samoa.