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Conflict over an access road in Ottoville lands one man in jail

Territorial Correctional Facility, TCF
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The District Court has set bail at $500 for Faumui Fonoia, who was taken into custody over the past weekend following an incident in Ottoville where he is alleged to have gone to his  neighbor’s home with a machete and challenging people in the neighborhood to a fight.

Fonoia made his initial appearance in court this week and is charged with misdemeanor public peace disturbance (PPD).

Assistant Attorney General Jason Mitchell says the government may file additional charges, as the police investigation continues on allegations of possible trespassing and making verbal threats.

If Fonoia is able to post bail, he is ordered not to bother his neighbor or attempt to set foot on his property. He is also not to make any direct or indirect contact with him. Fonoia will appear in court again on Sept. 24th.

According to court information, the PPD charge stems from a disagreement between Fonoia and his neighbor over the access road used by both families. Fonoia contends that the neighbor should not be using the access road because he and his children have spent a lot of time cleaning it.

But the neighbor claims that the access road is on their family property and therefore, Fonoia and his family should not be using the road at all. The neighbor contacted police for assistance after Fonoia allegedly came to his house and used a machete in a threatening manner, in addition to making verbal threats to an elderly man from his family.

It’s alleged that Fonoia’s actions came after a drinking session he had with friends at his home. Fonoia was escorted by police to the DPS Tafuna Substation for questioning.

When interviewed by police, Fonoia admitted that he had a machete and was making threatening statements to people in the neighborhood. He added that he was just trying to prove a point to his neighbor, and he had no intention of hurting anyone.