Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A Tongan woman called the Tafuna Police Substation on August 02, 2023 asking for assistance after her 20-year-old son allegedly physically assaulted her. Upon arrival at the residence, officers met with the mother, who is identified as the victim in court filings, and she gave her account of what happened.

She explained that she had told her daughter to tell her son, Steven Moeteau to bring a box of chicken to defrost, but he had a temper tantrum instead and yelled profanities, and threw a salt bottle which struck her on the arm. The victim further stated that this is not the first time something like this has happened, and she is constantly in fear of her life.

Moeteau was placed in handcuffs at the residence, and was transported to TPS, where the defendant was Mirandized and said he understood his rights, but refused to make a statement, but then uttered spontaneously that he did throw the salt bottle at his mom — it was an accident — and it was out of anger.

Moeteau was ordered to appear in court on August 3, 2023 where he was charged with two counts— one count of private peace disturbance and one count of assault in the third degree.

There was no bail posted for Moeteau.

ANOTHER MOTHER CALLS THE COPS

A woman made a call to the Leone Police Substation on August 2, 2023 at 6:12 PM to report that a male individual in the village of Se’etaga was intoxicated and was damaging items within the home.

After receiving the call, officers met with a woman, the caller and victim, who explained to officers what had happened. Officers then canvassed the house and saw shattered glass on the garage floor and also discovered ripped screen wire and missing louvers.

After taking pictures of the damaged property, officers further interviewed the woman and according to her, her son Richard Toalepai who was intoxicated asked her for money but she told him she didn’t have any. Toalepai allegedly started swearing at her and tried to slap her because she wouldn’t give him any money.

She then stated that she told her son to “get out of the house”, and that’s when he allegedly went outside and punched the windows, shattering the louvers before fleeing the scene.

Officers canvassed the area for Richard but did not locate him, but as officers proceeded to leave the scene, they observed an individual walking towards them, who identified himself as Richard Toalepai. He was apprehended at the scene. Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person when they were transporting him to TPS.

Toalepai was Mirandized after arriving at TPS, and agreed to make a statement and answer any questions. His explanation differed from his mother’s account.

The court documents say the defendant reported that “he was drinking with a couple of village friends, before confronting one of his aunts for caring for a child her mother brought to their family to care for.”

He told officers that his mother told him “it was none of his business and slapped him twice, which made him angry resulting in him punching the window of his mother’s home.”

Toalepai displayed bloodshot eyes and also had slurred speech.

After providing his statement, Toalepai was booked and transported to TCF for confinement. He is being charged with three counts – one count of private peace disturbance, one for assault in the third degree and one for property damage in the third degree.

Bail for Toalepai is set at $500.