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Arrested on domestic violence allegation, man is facing drug charge after wife reveals his stash

American Samoa District Court building
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man was arrested on the allegation that he assaulted his wife. When police officers arrived at the couple’s home, the wife told police that she is suspicious that her husband is involved in something unusual, like “doing drugs”. He was later charged with one count of unlawful possession of marijuana.

According to the government’s case, it was on May 23, 2020 when the TPS received a call from a woman who reported that her husband had allegedly assaulted her.

Several police officers responded to the scene and met up with the woman who reported the alleged domestic violence. After explaining to police what happened, the woman then told police that she noticed big changes in her husband’s behavior two months ago.

The woman further told police that after the alleged domestic incident, she witnessed her husband walk to the back of their kitchen located at the back of their house and hide something under some wood.

Two police officers went to the kitchen located at the back of the couple’s house and conducted a search. During the search, officers found a small plastic container hidden under a big log inside the kitchen. Police pulled out the small container and noticed that inside was green leafy substance. They removed the small plastic container and took it to the TPS for further investigation.

The green leafy substance was tested and the result revealed that it contained THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), a compound commonly found in marijuana. The defendant was transported to the TPS for further investigation.

After being advised of his constitutional rights, the defendant agreed to make a statement to police. He stated that the green leafy substance does not belong to him, it belongs to his friend. He also told police that the Samoan-type kitchen does not belong to his family, it belongs to the family who owns the house that they’re living in now. The defendant continued to deny that the small container containing green leafy belongs to him.

When asked about the alleged domestic violence incident, the defendant admitted that he pushed his wife to the floor and slapped her on the back of her head.

Officers interviewed the victim again regarding the alleged domestic incident involving her and her husband. The victim told officers that the alleged domestic incident occurred when she confronted her husband regarding a marijuana roach she found inside their vehicle.

Her husband was really upset after she accused him of doing drugs. The victim further stated to officers that she also discovered a small plastic container under the driver’s seat, however, she did not pay attention to it.

Her husband was very upset and a verbal argument erupted immediately after she confronted him. It was that time that her husband allegedly assaulted her by pulling her hair, slapped her in the facial area twice and pushed her to the floor.

The victim also told police that after she was assaulted by her husband, he then walked over to the vehicle and opened the door on the driver’s side. After a few moments, the victim saw her husband exit the vehicle and walk towards the kitchen while holding the small plastic container in his right hand. That’s when she contacted police for help.

The defendant made his initial appearance in court last month.

He is charged with one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, a unclassified felony, punishable by imprisonment from 5-10 years, a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $20,000, or both.

Bail is set at $5,000.