Ads by Google Ads by Google

Senior police detective Paselio formally charged over nightclub incident

Several months have passed since the incident involving two police detectives, which led to damage at a Pago Pago night club, but now the Attorney General’s office has charged Vice and Narcotics Senior Police Detective Ioane Johnny Paselio with two counts of third degree assault, property damage, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of arms without a license and public peace disturbance — all misdemeanors.

 

Court filings say that, if convicted on all charges, the officer is looking at five years in jail. According to the government’s case, on October 19, 2014 around 3a.m. police received a call about an incident at the night club in Pago Pago involving off duty police officers Paselio and Geoffrey Tagaloa.

 

Police responded to the call and observed the unmarked police vehicle assigned to the Vice and Narcotics Division parked at the night club’s parking lot, with Paselio standing in front of the vehicle looking towards the night club while Tagaloa was walking back and forth up the stairs to the main entrance. Court filings say that police observed a shattered window and a group of men across from the club.

 

The on duty police officers apprehended Paselio and Tagaloa, and transported them to the Central Police Station while witnesses at the club were told to go to the Central Police Station. Several witnesses told the police that Tagaloa was swearing at the waitresses and so when the doorman (who’s the victim in this case) approached Tagaloa, it’s alleged that Paselio intervened and punched the victim.

 

The owner of the nightclub told the police that when the defendant was intervening, he was allegedly swearing and speaking in a loud manner and when he walked out of the club he punched the front glass window breaking it. The owner stated that defendant walked to the unmarked police vehicle and picked up a piece of wood.

 

The victim in this matter told police that he was not the only one the defendant had punched. Court filings say that defendant, after punching the door man, exited the club, punched the door man’s brother and then turned around and punched the night club’s window.

 

Two witnesses told the police that they saw the defendant pull out a gun and threaten to shoot the doorman in this matter.

 

It’s alleged that on the night in question the police impounded the vehicle and when they searched the car, nothing was recovered. Court filings further state that the value of the broken window was estimated at $800.

 

Court documents also indicate that a letter from the custodian of evidence for firearms at the Department of Public Safety says that the defendant does not have a license to carry firearms in the territory.