Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 28, 2024, a security guard at the Iliili Golf Course contacted Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) alleging two female individuals refused to leave the premises after being told to do so, several times.

The suspects were apprehended and later charged with Count 1: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

Bail is not listed in the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, on June 28, after receiving a call around 11 a.m from a security guard at the Iliili Golf Course, concerning two female individuals refusing to leave, police officers met up with the security guard/ reporter at the scene, and interviewed him.

After he was interviewed, the security guard told the officers to follow him so he could point out the individuals who refused to leave the premises after being told several times.

As the officers patrolled the Golf Course in Iliili, the security guard stopped his vehicle and pointed towards the two females, standing near the 11th hole green. The females were quickly apprehended at the scene and transported to the TPS to be processed.

Upon arrival at the TPS at about 12:20 p.m, Taleni Maai was Mirandized and she agreed to make a statement and also to answer questions.

According to Ms. Taleni, she refused to leave the premises after she was told by the security guard twice. She explained that the Director of the Golf Course told her and the other suspect Meipo Fa’alaa that they could sell goods on the premises, but only if they didn’t distract people that are playing golf.

Taleni also stated that she did not like how the security guard approached them, saying that “he was rude and demanding”.

At about 12:40 p.m on the same day, Meipo Fa’alaa was also Mirandized and agreed to make a statement and to answer questions.

According to Fa’alaa, she also admitted to refusing to leave the Golf Course after being told twice by the security guard. She explained that the security guard approached her and Taleni in a very rude and demanding way, which they did not like.

Both Taleni and Meipo were booked at the TPS and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined and await the next available sitting of the District Court.

Taleni Maai is identified as a 42 year-old U.S National and Meipo Fa’alaa as a 42-year-old citizen of Samoa.