“On March 6, 2003, I made a request for FBI assistance on behalf of the Bowles family,” the Congressman said.  “My office has also provided the FBI with additional information regarding the subsequent arrests in this case.”

       “The FBI is monitoring the Bowles case and indicated that at the onset of the investigation FBI personnel and other members of a joint task force traveled to American Samoa as part of a drug investigation involving associates of Wyatt Bowles.  On March 6th, Mr. Bowles, Sr. was interviewed by a staff member from the Honolulu Office regarding his son’s disappearance and his concerns for his family’s safety.”

       “However, the FBI has concluded that because the American Samoa Attorney General (AG), who is the government designated liaison to the FBI, has not requested any FBI assistance in this case, assistance from the FBI would not be beneficial at this time,” Faleomavaega said.  “The FBI also said that the American Samoa Department of Public Safety has stated that it is confident about the arrests it has made of individuals in the alleged murder of Wyatt Bowles Jr.”

       “Despite this, the FBI maintains that it is willing to provide any appropriate assistance in this case,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “In fact, I have received assurances from the FBI that its Honolulu Office, along with the Hawaii High Intensity Drug-Trafficking Area Drug Interdiction Group, will continue to monitor this case as it progresses and will review new information to ensure that any additional information regarding the drug-trafficking aspects of the case are fully investigated and prosecuted.”

       “I am pleased that the FBI has an ongoing commitment to investigate violations of federal law in American Samoa.  I am also pleased that the FBI has opened a satellite office in the Pago Plaza and initiated a complaint line (633-1313) for residents to lodge any complaints regarding the possible violations of federal laws within the Territory.”

       “Like the FBI, my office will continue to follow the Bowles case and I am completely committed to ensuring that all aspects of the case are fully investigated and prosecuted.  Out of deference for the Attorney General’s position not to seek FBI assistance, I also have every confidence that the AG will conduct an aggressive and substantive investigation,” the Congressman concluded.