Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 3, 2026, at approximately 7:47 p.m., police responded to a reported domestic disturbance at a residence in Fagatogo involving a married couple.

The defendant was later arrested 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 not more than $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

(Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identities of the minors involved in this case.)

According to the affidavit, authorities received a call from a female reporting a violent altercation at her home involving her husband. Officers were dispatched immediately and while canvassing the area, officers observed a female walking along the roadside behind the courthouse, waving for assistance.

Upon contact, officers noted that the victim was in a highly distressed state. She was crying, shaking, sweating, and appeared physically and emotionally exhausted.

Officers transported her a short distance to a safer area uphill, where they conducted an initial interview to better understand the situation.

During the interview, the victim provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the incident. According to the victim, earlier that evening, the defendant returned home after participating in fautasi race practice. Upon entering the home, he began searching for a charger to power an electronic device. When he was unable to locate it, he questioned the victim regarding its whereabouts. She reportedly responded that she did not know where the charger was located.

The response allegedly triggered an angry reaction from the defendant. At the time of the incident, the couple’s two young children — both toddlers — were present inside the home. In an apparent fit of anger, the defendant allegedly grabbed both children from where they were seated and forcefully tossed them onto a nearby bed. The distance between the seating area and the bed was estimated to be about six feet.

The victim reportedly yelled at the defendant, warning him not to touch the children in such a manner. The situation escalated further when the defendant began throwing household items, including children’s toys and personal belongings, toward the victim.

The affidavit further stated that the defendant then approached the victim aggressively, appearing as though he intended to strike her. Fearing imminent harm, the victim grabbed a pair of scissors and swung at the defendant in an attempt to defend herself.

During the altercation, the defendant sustained a minor scratch to his chest.

Despite this, the defendant was able to overpower the victim, forcibly remove the scissors from her possession, and proceed to physically assault her. He allegedly struck her multiple times, including blows to her face and arms, as she attempted to shield herself from the attack.

According to the affidavit, the assault did not end there. The defendant reportedly ordered the victim to leave the residence and began throwing her personal belongings outside, effectively forcing her out of the home. The victim fled the area and sought help, which ultimately led to the call for police assistance.

Officers observed visible injuries on the victim consistent with her statement. She had bruising on her arm and redness on her face. She also informed officers that similar incidents had occurred in the past but had not been previously reported to law enforcement.

After ensuring the victim’s immediate safety, officers proceeded to the residence to locate the defendant. Upon arrival, they made contact with an elderly individual at the home who allowed officers entry. The defendant was subsequently located and taken into custody without further resistance.

Both parties were transported to the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) for further investigation.

At the station, the defendant was advised of his constitutional rights, which he acknowledged and waived before agreeing to provide a statement.

In his statement, the defendant admitted that he became angry after being unable to locate the charger and acknowledged his involvement in the altercation. He confirmed that he had grabbed the children and thrown them onto the bed and admitted to throwing items at the victim. He also stated that the victim had armed herself with scissors during the dispute, which led to a struggle between them.

The defendant claimed that his actions were in response to being threatened with the scissors. According to the affidavit, he admitted to striking the victim during the altercation. Officers noted that the defendant had a minor cut to his chest but declined medical treatment for his injury.

Authorities were unable to locate the scissors allegedly used during the incident.

Following the investigation, the defendant was confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending further court proceedings.

The matter has been referred to the court for prosecution, and the case remains under review as legal proceedings move forward.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on March 5, 2026.

[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. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court.]