Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 8, 2025, a mother called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and stated that her 67-year-old boyfriend (suspect) allegedly assaulted her 7-year-old daughter.

The suspect was apprehended and later charged with:

Count 1& 4: 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 imprisonment and fine;

Count 2 & 5: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 3 & 6: Endangering the Welfare of a Child (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

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

According to the court affidavit, on Jan. 8th, at about 10:33 p.m., a woman (later identified as the reporter) reported her boyfriend, Leo Polevia, who assaulted her 7-year-old by slapping her face which caused her to bleed from her nose.

The officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, at about 10:57 p.m., met with an unknown female (later identified as the reporter) and her 4 kids.

The reporter briefed the officers on what happened and directed the officers to where her boyfriend (later identified as the suspect) was. She pointed out the suspect’s house was not far from the scene and said her boyfriend was drinking beer with his friends inside the house.

The officers went up to the house and knocked on the door where an unknown male opened the door. They asked him for an individual by the name of Leo Polevia in which he replied it was him.

The suspect was informed of the allegations towards him and he stated that he “didn’t even know what had happened”. The officers detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the suspect's breath during their conversation. The officers informed the suspect that he will be taken to the TPS for further investigation where he agreed.

The suspect was transported to the TPS.The victim’s mother made a request to the officers that she needed to remove all her stuff from her boyfriend’s house. The officers assisted her and also detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from her breath and clothes.

The victim was then transported with all her four kids to the TPS.

EMS personnel were also informed regarding the victim’s injuries and the Child Protective Services (CPS) were contacted about the domestic violence case involving minors.

According to the victim’s mother, she explained that her boyfriend slapped her 7- yea-rold’s mouth twice and she saw blood coming out from her nose. Moreover, when the  victim cried, the suspect yelled profanities at her and told them to get out of his house.

The mother also reported that another incident happened on Jan. 4th, where the suspect assaulted her 4-year-old daughter by slapping her. She explained that the youngster fell down and hit her right eye at the corner of an army bed causing bruises. She also informed the officers that her 7-year-old also has heart problems.

The officers questioned the mother about why she didn’t report the first incident and she admitted it was her mistake but when he did it again now she wants to press charges.

The officers also asked the 7-year-old if she knew what happened and she answered “yes”. She stated that her mother’s boyfriend slapped her two times and caused her to bleed from her nose.

The suspect was Mirandized to which he understood and refused to make a statement and answer any questions.

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

CPS contacted the victim’s mother’s family and they agreed to take the victim and her family in and they were dropped off by the authorities.

The defendant is identified as a 67-year-old U.S National.