Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 22, 2024, a woman contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) regarding her uncle causing a disturbance in their home in Vaitogi.

Saleauau Toaitiiti was apprehended and later charged with the following:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV)  — a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both; and

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (As a class C misd) (DV), punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $500.

According to the affidavit, on March 22, at about 10:05 p.m, a woman called TPS and requested police assistance regarding a drunken male making unreasonable noises at their residence.

Upon arrival at the scene, police officers met with an unknown woman later identified as the suspect’s niece (witness) and she briefed the officers on what happened.

According to the witness’s written and verbal statement, during the incident — she was there and witnessed what happened.

Her uncle, later identified as Saleauau Toaitiiti, is her dad’s brother.

The witness claimed that her uncle was drunk and there was an argument between him and his wife on the phone about picking him up.

The witness explained that her brother (later identified as the victim) asked the suspect if it was okay to stay and sleep in Vaitogi.

She said however that the suspect “was getting mad and picked a fight “with her brother. The suspect then went inside the house and grabbed a knife where he came and pointed the knife at the victim, but the witness and her mother stopped him and removed the knife.

The suspect then tried to beat up her brother and that’s when her mother called TPS and requested police assistance.

The witness then directed the officers to the scene where they observed people standing near her house. The witness pointed out the suspect who was sitting at the back of the witness’s family home.

The suspect was informed by the officers regarding the matter whereas he yelled at the officers to go find his nephew (victim).

Police officers detected a strong odor of alcohol emitted from the suspect’s breath. Suspect was apprehended and placed inside the police unit and was transported to the TPS for the booking process.

Officers were able to locate the victim and interviewed him. The victim provided a verbal statement regarding the incident.

According to the victim, he just asked his uncle (suspect) to stay and sleep with them in Vaitogi because he had an argument with his wife but the suspect got mad. He stated his uncle went inside the house and came out with a knife but luckily his sister and mother were able to stop him.

Upon arrival at the TPS, police officers Mirandized the suspect where he understood and signed the form.

The suspect begged for a second chance so he could talk this out with his family however he was informed by the officers that all domestic violence cases are supposed to be forwarded to the Attorney General for disposition.

Toaitiiti was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility until the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 48-year-old U. S National.