Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 26, 2024, a security guard on duty at Tropic Traders in Nuuuli contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported an alleged assault by a male individual.

Sinoti Teofilo was later apprehended and charged with Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

According to the affidavit, on August 26th, at about 6:07 p.m., a male individual (later identified as the victim) contacted the TPS regarding an unknown male (later identified as Sinoti Teofilo) who assaulted him by threatening to beat him up. The victim alleged that Teofilo also challenged him to a fight.

Police officers proceeded to the call and upon arrival they met up with the victim. The victim verbally stated that when he arrived at his workplace at Tropic Traders in Nuuuli (as a security guard), he saw the defendant drinking alcohol in front of the store.

He said he told the defendant that the area is closed and he can’t drink alcohol there. The victim claimed that the defendant suddenly stood up and challenged him to fight and also told him that he was going to beat him up if he saw him again.

The victim pointed out to the officers where the defendant went.

The officers met up with the defendant who was on the other side of the road and officers detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath.

The defendant was apprehended and transported to the TPS for further investigation.

At around 6:59 p.m., the defendant was Mirandized to which he said he understood and provided a verbal statement.

According to the defendant, he was drinking one can of beer in front of Tropic Traders and a male (security guard) walked up to him and chased him away. He stated that he stood up and suddenly the security guard grabbed him by his shirt and chased him away. He then walked away.

The defendant did not provide a written statement.

The defendant was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined for the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 50-year-old citizen of Samoa, while the victim is identified as a 63-year-old citizen of Tonga.