Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Sione Sama is now in custody after being arrested on the allegation he assaulted a man in Leone.

Sama is charged with one count of 2nd-degree assault and stealing, both felonies; along with one count of trespass and making threat remarks, both class A misdemeanors.

Bail is set at $10,000.

According to the government’s case, Sama was arrested after police responded to a public peace disturbance incident in Leone recently. A woman who reported the incident to police stated that a man was assaulted by another man and he sustained a severe head injury.

Several police officers responded to the call and met up with the reporter, who briefed officers regarding the incident. According to the report, she was in front of her house when she saw two men talking on the side of the road in front of her yard.

She identified the two men as Sama (defendant) and Nuufou Salimu, the victim in this case.

According to the reporter’s statement to police, she saw Salimu holding Sama’s neck. The next thing she saw was Salimu falling down after Sama punched him in the face multiple times. The reporter also saw Sama strike Salimu’s head with a rock.

Sama was transported to the police station for further investigation while the victim was transported to the hospital for medical treatment.

When questioned by police, Sama allegedly admitted to the allegation. He told police that Salimu unlawfully entered his parent’s home and stole several items, however, when he confronted him, the victim challenged him to a fight.

Sama allegedly admits that he punched Salimu in the face multiple times causing him to fall down, before he struck his head with a rock. Sama also took the Salimu’s iPhone and left the scene after he assaulted Salimu.