Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 28, 2024, a woman walked into the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported that her boyfriend Taoipu Poasa allegedly assaulted her at her home in Pava’ia’i.

Taoipu Poasa was arrested and charged with the following:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV) — a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150 or both;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV) — a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000 but not less than $150, or both; and,

Count 3: False Imprisonment (DV) — a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment up to twelve months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

According to the affidavit, on February 28, at approximately 8:23 a.m, Ms. Valasi Togia’i (later identified as the victim) walked into the TPS and filed a police complaint against her boyfriend Poasa.

The victim allegedly stated she was assaulted by the suspect when he slapped her twice in the face. The victim’s eyes were both swollen, red and bruised.

During the victim’s interview, she said that the incident happened at the family home in the village of Pava’ia’i, on February 28, 2024 at about 5:00 a.m, when she was getting ready for work at StarKist in Satala.

Ms Togia’i explained that she got into a verbal argument with her boyfriend, Poasa, who became angry and started yelling profanities and calling her a liar. She said that the suspect asked her about her taking extra clothes to work.

She said she explained to her boyfriend that she needed extra clothing after work so that she could file her taxes at the Tax Office in Utulei (EOB). However, he refused to believe her, and told her to shut up.

As she walked in the front of her house in Pavaiai village, she said that the Poasa attempted to hit her with a stone that was lying next to the main road while swearing at her. Moreover, she said that she was pinned down by the suspect and he demanded that she not go anywhere.

According to the affidavit, the victim noted that her boyfriend has been abusing her since he moved into her home in Pavaiai.

Police officers asked Ms. Togia’i as to the whereabouts of her boyfriend’s workplace and she told officers that he worked at the StarKist warehouse, in Tafuna.

The officers went to the said location and upon arrival met up with a male individual who later identified himself as Taoipu Poasa.

He was apprehended by the officers and taken to the TPS for further investigation.

The suspect was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next sitting of the District Court.

The suspect is identified as a 47-year-old citizen of Samoa.