Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 15, 2025, a man called the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report a tenant that was allegedly causing a disturbance and damaging the building he lives in.

John Matagilele was later arrested after resisting arrest and charged with:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000, or both; and,

Count 3: Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

According to the court affidavit, on Apr. 15, at about 9:51 p.m., a man (later identified as the reporter and victim) contacted the FPS, and reported that his next- door tenant, John Matagilele (later identified as the suspect) was highly intoxicated and causing a disturbance at their home.

The officers proceeded to the call, and while approaching the said location they were flagged down by an unknown man (later identified as the reporter and victim).

The officers made contact with the victim who provided a brief explanation of what happened.

The victim stated that he was in his room when he heard the suspect yelling. He opened his door and asked the suspect why he was yelling. In response, the suspect shouted profanities back and told him that “it’s all your fault”.

At that time, the suspect immediately proceeded to smash the building’s hallway windows.

Another tenant (later identified as the witness) in the adjacent room, heard the commotion and stepped outside to assist in restraining the suspect to prevent further damage to the property.

The victim told the authorities that he and the suspect live together in the same building that is owned by one of his family members in the mainland. He also notified the officers that he was in charge of managing the property on their behalf. The building houses the apartment unit of the suspect and the witness in addition to the unit he was in.

The victim stated that the damage to the windows was estimated to be around $120.

After the victim’s interview, he pointed uphill towards the location of the residence where the officers proceeded on foot with the victim to the house. Upon entering the building’s hallway, the officers observed shattered glass on the floor beneath the broken windows.

Shortly after, another male individual (identified as the witness) approached the officers and notified them that the suspect had fled through the back door leading to the umu area.

The officers proceeded to the area and split into pairs to search both sides of the property, utilizing flashlights. Other officers proceeded to search the back of the house near the umu and spotted the suspect hiding behind the trees and the tall grass on the mountain side.

As the officers attempted to capture the suspect he tried to flee. Realizing that he had been spotted, the suspect stood up and tried to escape but slipped and fell. This allowed the officers to close in, subdue him and restrain the suspect.

The suspect resisted arrest by physically struggling and shouting profanities at the officers. The other officers hearing the commotion, responded by assisting to bring the suspect down from the mountains. While being escorted to the police unit, the suspect made multiple attempts to fight the officers. He also continued yelling profanities and intentionally dropped his weight in an attempt to make it difficult to be transported.

The suspect was eventually secured in the unit and transported to the FPS for further investigation and processing.

Police officers detected a strong smell of alcohol on the suspect’s breath and observed bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. The suspect continued his verbal outburst.

Upon arrival at the FPS, the suspect continued yelling profanities at the responding officers and high -ranking personnel. He also attempted to physically challenge the authorities to a fight.

Matagilele was booked at the FPS and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility for confinement to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

During transportation to the TCF, the suspect continued to yell profanities at the officers.

The defendant is identified as a 27-year-old citizen of Samoa.