Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 7, 2025, separate affidavits were filed in the District Court, each in support of a warrant to arrest and order to appear for Faasaoina Samasoni and George Peters. Both men are facing charges of Assault in the Third Degree and Public Peace Disturbance.

Bail was set at $1,000 for each defendant.

Court records indicate that on Nov 5, 2025, at around 1:49 p.m., a man  (later identified as the victim/ reporter) contacted the Fagatogo Police Station reporting that Mr. Peters (suspect #1) and Mr. Samasoni (suspect #2) allegedly assaulted him.

Police officers proceeded to the call and, upon arrival, attended to the victim. The victim appeared to have sustained a laceration, scrapes, and bruises on his face and legs.

One of the officers escorted the victim to the hospital. After treatment, the officer obtained a verbal and written statement from the victim.

The victim provided the names of three men who were involved: “George, Fa'asaoina, and Andrew”.

He explained that he was taking his last break (from work at StarKist) near the gas station in Satala when Andrew approached him asking for a cigarette. He gave Andrew a cigarette, and that's when George asked him if "he was good?" He told George that he was good, and that’s when George punched him, and Fa'asaoina joined in on beating him.

He said he tried to defend himself but slipped and fell; and felt a kick in the back of his head.

Fortunately, bystanders intervened when George and Fa'asaoina, ran away.

He then felt blood coming from his head, and asked the bystanders to contact the EMS.

While the victim was being interviewed, other officers searched the area surrounding the gas station in Satala for the suspects. The officers also checked George's residence and then went to Pago Pago, where Andrew was found and brought in for questioning.

Upon arrival at the station, Andrew Peters was Mirandized, to which he understood and agreed to make a statement.

He stated that he came to see his mom in Satala for his daily medical massage. That's when his mother told him to look for George and Fa'asaoina to get some limes. He walked downhill to where the gas station was and saw George, Fa'asaoina, and a group of Starkist workers.

He told George and Fa'asaoina about his mother's request, when all of a sudden, George started a fight with the victim, while Fa'asaoina tried to use a rock to assault the victim.

Andrew said he then stepped in to stop both suspects and told them to go home.

Andrew was released after being interviewed.

At around 5:40 p.m., the authorities returned to George's house in Satala to search for the suspects. Both George and Fa'asaoina were found in the house. They were apprehended and transported to the FPS for further investigation and processing.

The officers detected a strong odor of alcohol from both the suspects.

Both suspects were Mirandized, and both agreed to provide statements.

George admitted to punching the victim first and kicking him in the back of his head; while, Fa'asaoina admitted to grabbing rocks, but Andrew stopped him from doing anything.

George Peters and Fa'asaoina Samasoni were booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available District Court sitting.

George Peters is identified as an unemployed 23-year-old U.S national, whereas Fa'asaoina is a 28-year-old citizen of Samoa, employed at StarKist.

The two men are charged with the following:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more $500.00, or both.

[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. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court.]