Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two inmates at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) are facing charges of escaping from confinement after allegedly escaping from the facility during a power outage and later returning through the front gate on their own, according to a police report. 

The inmates were identified as Tobias Honowai, also known as “Titifalaula Siaumau,” and Anderson Taala. 

There was no detailed information available regarding Taala but Honowai was charged with Count 1: Escape from Confinement, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

According to the court affidavit, the incident came to the attention of police shortly after midnight on July 20, 2026, while officers were conducting patrols in the Tafuna Industrial Park.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., responding officers reportedly observed a group of police and correctional officers standing outside near the end of the TCF.

The officers reportedly explained that two inmates had escaped from the facility the previous day but had since returned through the facility's front gate.

According to the report, the correctional officers had not immediately reported the incident because they had allegedly been instructed by their watch commander to wait until the following day.

The responding officers then notified the Tafuna Police Substation Watch Commander and proceeded to the TCF to investigate.

Upon arrival at approximately 12:45 a.m., officers interviewed facility personnel and reviewed the facility's headcount and daily log records.

Police reported that the facility's watch commander and assistant watch commander were initially unaware that an escape had occurred until Honowai and Taala reportedly returned through the front gate sometime between approximately 10:55 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.

The investigation allegedly revealed that the facility's records were disorganized and that only one formal headcount had been conducted at the beginning of the shift.

After the two inmates returned to the compound, correctional staff conducted an emergency headcount to determine whether any additional inmates were missing.

According to police, the emergency headcount matched the earlier inmate count, confirming that only two inmates were believed to have escaped.

The investigation also focused on the circumstances surrounding the facility's power outages that evening.

According to correctional staff interviewed by police, the first headcount of the shift was conducted at approximately 6:09 p.m. The inmate count reportedly matched the count from the previous shift.
At approximately 7:33 p.m., the facility experienced its first power outage, which was restored approximately two minutes later.
A second power outage reportedly occurred at approximately 8:17 p.m. and continued until approximately 9:56 p.m.

Following the restoration of power, correctional staff reportedly conducted another count of inmates, but only in one of the housing units. The count allegedly remained consistent with the original number of inmates.

During the investigation, police were also told that an inmate had repeatedly been pacing near the front entrance gate earlier in the evening. His movements reportedly attracted the attention of correctional officers, who questioned him about his behavior.

The inmate allegedly told officers that he was fine and that he was simply exercising and getting some fresh air.

Officers reportedly accepted the explanation and allowed him to remain in the area.

Police said that when the power was restored at approximately 9:56 p.m., correctional officers went outside the compound to inspect the property for damage or suspicious activity.

During that inspection, officers reportedly discovered a broken section of fencing located on top of a cement wall at the rear of the facility.

The damage was reported to a facility supervisor, who allegedly stated that the matter would be reported to higher-ranking correctional authorities. According to the police report, officers later observed activity at the front entrance of the facility.

While inside the visitor's room, several officers reportedly saw an inmate approach the front gate and unlock it, allowing Honowau to enter the facility. Honowai allegedly entered through the front gate without displaying any obvious indication that he had just returned after being outside the secured compound.

At approximately 10:55 p.m., the inmate who opened the gate reportedly escorted Honowai from the main entrance through a second gate leading toward the housing area.

Officers reportedly did not immediately approach Honowai or the inmate who opened the gate because they first wanted to confirm the identity of the individual who had returned to the facility.

After confirming that Honowai had returned, officers reportedly notified the facility's watch commander.

The investigation later determined that the front gate had also been opened to allow Taala to return to the facility.

Police reports further revealed that the inmate who opened the gate acknowledged to investigators that he had opened the front entrance for Honowai and Taala, although he reportedly stated that he did not want to become involved in the investigation.

Police also investigated the actions of correctional personnel during the incident, including the facility's headcount procedures and the handling of the power outages.

According to the report, one correctional officer was the last person to have possession of the keys to the main gate of one of the housing units during the power outage.

When another headcount was later conducted, officers reportedly observed both Honowai and Taala inside their cell.

The investigation concluded that the two inmates had left the secured facility and later returned through the front entrance. 

Honowai was already being held in pre-trial detention on felony charges at the time of the alleged escape.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 24, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.]