Man arrested and charged after allegedly threatening to set house on fire

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 29, 2026, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a victim reporting that her brother-in-law was allegedly causing a disturbance and threatening to set their home on fire. The suspect, later identified as Malaefua Leao, was arrested and charged with Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of up to $300, or both imprisonment and fine. The defendant’s bail was set at $500. According to the court affidavit, Leao allegedly threatened a family member during an argument at a residence, prompting police to respond after the victim reported fearing that the suspect would carry out his threats. TPS reportedly received a call at approximately 11:01 a.m. from a woman who reported that her brother-in-law had been using abusive language and repeatedly threatened to set the family home on fire. At about 11:37 a.m., police officers responded to the residence to investigate the complaint. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim while other officers approached the suspect, identified themselves, and explained the reason for their presence. The suspect complied with officers and was transported to the TPS for further questioning. According to the victim, she had been preparing food inside the residence when the suspect approached her and asked for something to eat. She told investigators that she refused his request, which allegedly caused the suspect to become angry. The victim stated that the suspect responded by threatening to burn down the house and continued yelling abusive remarks. She told police that the suspect repeatedly declared that he would set the residence on fire before leaving the property and said he was not concerned if anyone attempted to remove him from the home. Investigators said the victim also reported that the suspect continued insulting her and accused her of trying to control everything within the household. According to the victim, the incident was not isolated and the suspect had displayed similar behavior on previous occasions. Concerned for her safety and that of the household, she contacted the head of the family while the suspect remained outside, continuing to yell and make threats. Police said one of the most alarming aspects of the incident was that the suspect was allegedly carrying a plastic fuel container that contained gasoline while making the threats. The suspect held the container as he remained outside the residence, repeatedly threatening to burn the house down. The presence of gasoline, coupled with the suspect's repeated statements, caused the victim to believe the threats could be carried out, prompting her to seek immediate assistance from law enforcement. After arriving at the TPS, the suspect was Mirandized in the Samoan language and he acknowledged that he understood those rights and voluntarily signed a written waiver before speaking with officers. During his interview, the suspect admitted that an argument had occurred after he asked the victim for rice several times. He further stated that he also questioned her about his Social Security card and told investigators that he threatened to burn down the house if the card was not returned to him. Authorities documented the statement as part of their investigation. Following the investigation, the defendant was formally booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending further court proceedings. The defendant is identified as a 30-year-old U.S National. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 02, 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.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-07-14 17:14:44