Two Am. Samoa Cops accused of Police brutality, charged with assault

SHARE NOW

Two police officers have been charged for allegedly assaulting two young men during an arrest for a public peace disturbance incident in Nuuuli.

It later turned out that the young men, both 15, identified as RF and IP and they were not the ones who were responsible for the disturbance, according to reports by 93KHJ. 

Officer Vegas Pearson is held on bail of $20,000 on six charges: two counts of abuse of a child, two of third-degree assault and two of endangering the welfare of a child.

It’s alleged that he punched RF and kicked IP in the face while the boy was lying on the ground. At the hospital, an X-ray showed that IP had a fractured nose.

According to 93KHJ reports, Police Officer Sione Satini faces one count of endangering the welfare of a child and his bail is set at $2000. He is accused of slapping the back of IF’s head causing him to fall forward in the police unit.

When the two boys were questioned they said they were scared and just fled when police arrived.

On the night of April 13, a woman reported that rocks were being thrown, at homes in Nuuuli.

Both officers were arrested and made their initial appearances in District Court yesterday.