Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 6, 2026, Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a victim of a domestic dispute alleging that her husband threatened and assaulted her during an argument. 

The suspect fled the scene and was later charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not more than $1,000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

(Samoa News has withheld the names of the individuals involved to protect the identity of the victim of domestic abuse.)

According to the court affidavit, the victim told officers when they responded that the suspect ran toward the rear of the residence and hid before leaving the area. Officers conducted a foot search of the surrounding area in an attempt to locate him, but were unable to find him.

An officer assessed the victim's condition and asked whether she required medical assistance. She declined treatment and told officers that she was okay.

While officers searched for the suspect, another officer remained at the residence and interviewed a witness who reportedly heard and observed portions of the incident.

According to the victim’s statement, she was asleep when the suspect woke her in an aggressive manner and demanded a cigarette. She said she complied with his request and gave him a cigarette.

The woman explained that the suspect suddenly became enraged and began yelling at her while directing profane and derogatory remarks at her. She told police that the argument escalated when the suspect began making derogatory remarks about her children.

The victim confronted the suspect about bringing the children into the dispute and told him to leave them out of the argument. The victim continued that the suspect then threatened to strike her with a machete if she did not remain quiet. The victim stated that she continued to defend herself verbally, after which the suspect allegedly struck her on the back with the flat side of a machete.

She further alleged that the suspect also threw a gas cylinder in her direction before pouring hot water from a cooking pot onto her. The hot water spilled over her body, particularly around the back of her neck.

The victim informed police that she became frightened and fled the residence after the suspect allegedly chased her while repeatedly threatening to cut her.
She subsequently sought refuge at a nearby residence and contacted the TPS for assistance.
During the investigation, the woman showed police the area of her back where she said she had been struck with the machete.

The investigating officer reported that there was no visible injury consistent with a machete strike. However, an area of rash or possible skin irritation was observed on her back.
The woman declined medical treatment and told police she did not require assistance.

No emergency medical transport or treatment at LBJ Tropical Medical Center was reported to the investigating officer at the time of the investigation.

A witness also provided police with a statement concerning the incident.

According to the witness, she was awakened by a woman screaming, crying and pleading for help. The witness reportedly heard the suspect repeatedly threaten the woman while directing profane and derogatory remarks at her and her children.

The witness also told police that the woman eventually ran to their residence while crying and seeking a safe place to stay. Moreover, the suspect continued yelling and making threats after the woman had fled the residence.

The witness also told investigators that the incident was allegedly not the first time the suspect had hurt the victim.

The witness stated that there had been previous incidents involving the suspect and the victim, but that the victim had previously chosen to overlook the incidents or had not reported them to police. 
After completing the initial investigation and failing to locate the suspect, the officers advised the victim to immediately contact the TPS if the suspect returned to the residence.

The defendant is identified as a 52-year-old citizen of Samoa.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 10, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.]