Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 3, 2024, traffic officers patrolling in the Tafuna area were waved down by a security guard from the Flame’s Bar. A 19 year-old had been escorted out of the bar and was allegedly causing a disturbance outside.

The defendant was apprehended 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;

Count 2: Underage Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 3: Property Damage in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

According to the affidavit, the investigation into the matter disclosed that on August 3rd, 19 year-old Poasa Collins entered the Flame Bar premises knowing he was under 21 years old.

Collins lied about his age and while being escorted out of the bar by a security guard he allegedly became fiercely angry and began yelling profanities at the bar’s security guards.

As the defendant was walked out of the bar, he was holding a beer bottle on his right hand and a security guard witnessed him throwing the bottle at one of the customer’s vehicles causing small damages.

Bystanders next to a line of vehicles chase Collins out of the bar area, where he ended up sitting under a bus stop near the bar’s entrance, and  began to yell out profanities and screaming out Samoan warrior cries (fa’aumu).

At about 10:10 p.m, police officers patrolling the Tafuna Public Highway heading southbound saw the security guard waving them down.

The officers turned around and activated their siren. The security guard pointed to the shirtless male standing near the bus stop.

As officers approached the defendant, they could smell a strong odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from the defendant’s breath.

Collins was arrested and booked, and then confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 19 year-old U.S National.

(American Samoa’s legal drinking age is 21.)