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Man reportedly drunk and disorderly tries to — swim for it — to get away

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ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man who has a pending matter in the Family, Drug and Alcohol (FDA) court was arrested over the weekend and charged with criminal contempt.

Faulalo Sipili made his initial appearance in District Court last week before Judge Pro Tem, Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde.

According to the government's case, police got a call for assistance on Wednesday night, Nov. 13 in Leone, reporting that Sipili was drunk and disorderly.

A police dispatcher claimed to have heard "people yelling and shouting profane words and children crying" in the background.

Cops who responded to the call say they heard people screaming from several houses down when they approached the area. A search of the suspect was carried out, at his home, which is near the ocean.

An officer shined his flashlight at the shore and spotted Sipili standing at the end, "as if he was getting ready to jump into the ocean," according to court documents.

A police officer called out to Sipili to "come up" but Sipili allegedly called back to the cop, "No, I'm leaving."

Sipili then jumped into the ocean and started swimming. One of the cops was trying to make his way down to the edge of the shore but at the same time, the suspect's children were crying out loud. When Sipili heard heard this, he yelled back at the cops, telling them he was "coming back."

He then swam back to shore and turned himself in.

Sipili was transported to the DPS Leone Substation for further questioning.

According to a witness who spoke to police,  Sipili came home and started screaming at everyone in the house. The witness said it has become a habit for Sipili to come home and shout profanities at everyone.

When a female family member told Sipili to tone it down, Sipili turned around and started a verbal argument with her. Sipili was cussing at her, her kids, and other members of the household.

Sipili reeked of alcohol and according to what the witness told police, his behavior is always like this when he comes home intoxicated.