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Man who says devil made him do it charged with assault, stealing and marijuana

Just say no to marijuana logo
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 26-year old man from Tafuna was arrested by police last month on the allegation that he assaulted a Filipino man and stole his phone and speaker. When arrested by police, one hand-rolled marijuana was found inside his wallet.

Seiula Taumaloto made his initial appearance in District Court last month.

He is charged with one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, a felony, along with one count of 3rd degree assault and stealing; both misdemeanors.

Bail is set at $5,000.

The government claimed that it was around 9 p.m on Friday night, Jan. 8, 2021 when the Central Police Station received a call from an anonymous caller regarding a Filipino man who was allegedly assaulted by a Samoan male in front of an Asian Store in Tafuna without any reason. Several police officers responded to the call.

Two female individuals who were at the store told police that they witnessed the alleged beating of the Filipino man by a tall Samoan guy whom seem to be intoxicated. Cops saw a Filipino man standing at the corner of the store and interviewed him while awaiting the arrival of the EMS for medical assistance.

The victim told police that he was inside the store when a Samoan male approached him and asked for $5 to buy beer and he gave the guy the money he requested. As he was walking around inside the store doing his shopping, he witnessed the same Samoan male standing at the far corner of the store looking at him.

He quickly paid for his shopping, exited the store and headed home, which is a few blocks away from the store. While walking home, the defendant ran up to him, stopped him and asked for another $5 saying he wanted to buy food but he doesn’t have enough money.

The victim told the defendant that he only have $1 left in his wallet and the defendant told the victim to give him that $1. 

When he pulled out his wallet trying to look for the dollar, the defendant allegedly punched him in the face causing him to fall down. The defendant then allegedly grabbed his wallet and kicked his back multiple times before he (defendant) took off.

According to the government, as the defendant was assaulting the victim, he (defendant) told the victim to give him his phone. The victim told police that he was angry and at the same time scared and had no choice but to give his phone to the defendant.

After the interview, Taumaloto was identified by the two female individuals who were at the store before the incident occurred.

Police officers were able to spot the defendant while he was walking with two of his friends on the road close to his house. The defendant was apprehended and placed in the police unit and brought to the police station. While apprehending the defendant, police noticed a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, his slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.

The defendant refused to cooperate with police officers when he was asked about what allegedly happened. He kept telling police officers that if he gets locked up, he’s never getting out because he’s already got a bench warrant regarding an old case.

When he was asked about the money and the phone he allegedly took from the victim, the defendant told police that he had given it to one of his friends. His friend was nowhere to be found by police.

Before Taumaloto was transported to the police station for questioning, he was searched and cops found one hand rolled joint inside his wallet.

Taumaloto was Mirandized, of which he stated that he understood stated that he was willing to make a statement.

According to Taumaloto, he went inside the store to buy food for himself, however, he saw the victim walking around and he looked familiar. He approached him for money and the victim gave him $5.

As the victim was walking home, he approached him again and asked for money. However, everything changed when the devil tempted him to attack the victim and that’s why he did it. He assaulted the victim, took his phone and then ran away. He then gave the phone to one of his friends.

For the marijuana joint discovered inside his pocket, Taumaloto told cops he got it from his friend.