Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 18, 2024, a woman contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report her husband who allegedly assaulted her by slapping her 4 times and then took off with their two children, two and four years old respectively.

The officers were able to chase down the defendant’s vehicle and he was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace DIsturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both; and,

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, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,500.

(Samoa News has withheld the names of the individuals in this case due to the minors that are involved.)

According to the affidavit, on July 18th, a female individual contacted the FPS to report that her husband assaulted her in their house — slapping her in the face several times — and then left with their two daughters, heading west in a truck.

She said she feared for her daughters’ safety.

Police officers located the vehicle, at about 5:20 p.m, heading west near the Tutuila Printing Shop. Officers immediately conducted a traffic stop of the defendant’s vehicle.

His two daughters were observed sitting in the passenger seat in the vehicle he was driving. The defendant was informed of the reason why he was stopped, and was later escorted to the FPS for further investigation.

At around 5:30 p.m, the defendant was Mirandized and he chose to make a statement.

The defendant was notified by one of the officers about the accusations his wife had made against him and he verbally admitted assaulting her.

He stated “he did slap his wife on the facial area and kicked her on her legs trying to avoid her from stopping him from taking his daughters with him.”

At about 6:00 p.m, the victim arrived and walked into the FPS where police officers observed redness on her facial area, minor scratches and a swollen lump on her left cheekbone.

The EMS was contacted and informed of the victim’s injuries. While waiting for the EMS to arrive, the officers interviewed the victim where she provided a written statement and verbally briefed the officers about the said incident.

The victim explained that “it all started because her husband was criticizing her, saying that she doesn’t know how to cook and do things right in their family.”

She stated she swore at him and told him that he didn't need to tell her that she didn't know how to cook. She said that her husband then walked towards her and slapped her four times while she tried to protect herself and get away from him.

When the EMS arrived at the FPS they tended to the victim’s injuries but she refused to be treated further.

The defendant was booked and confined and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next sitting at the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 38-year-old U.S National.