Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 11, 2024, a female individual walked into the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report an alleged assault by her husband, who she claims also threatened to kill her and her kids.

The defendant was later apprehended and charged with.

Count 1: 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 2: Assault in the Third Degree ( As a C Misd.), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $3,000.

(Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identity of the victim.)

According to the affidavit, on September 11th, a female individual (later identified as the victim) walked into the FPS to report that her husband threatened to kill her and their kids. The victim also reported that her husband punched her in the mouth.

Upon arrival her arrival at the FPS, the victim met with an officer where she gave a written statement. The victim was in tears and seemed frightened, the affidavit states. She continuously said that she and her kids no longer feel safe around her husband. The victim also provided the officers with information needed to find the suspect.

According to the victim’s written statement, at about 9:00 a.m, she and her husband had an argument regarding disciplining their son. It made her husband upset and he started threatening to kill her and her kids.

The victim explained that she left their house to avoid further argument. However, as she was heading back home at about 11:20 a.m., she saw her husband walking down the road and she stopped to pick him up. While in the car, the victim said that her husband started accusing her of having affairs behind his back.

Moreover, her husband punched her in the car and threatened to kill her and their kids. She also claimed that her husband threatened to burn their house down.

Police officers proceeded to find the suspect and upon arrival at the scene, they were able to get a hold of the suspect. The suspect was reluctant at first but agreed to come into the FPS for questioning.

At the FPS, the defendant was Mirandized.

According to the suspect, he was home the whole time. He claimed that he and his wife only had a disagreement about their son’s whereabouts the previous night. The suspect then refused to say anything further and stated that he wanted to see his wife and talk to her about the matter because “these are false accusations against him”.

The wife specifically stated during her interview that she no longer wanted any encounter between her and her husband and she wanted him removed from her house.

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

The defendant is identified as a 50-year-old U.S National.