Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 6, 2024, at around 8:39 a.m., a female individual contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) claiming that her husband threatened to kill her and their kids.

The defendant was later 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;

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both; and,

Count 3 & 4: Assault in the Third Degree (As a C. Misd.) (DV), 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 $100,000.

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

According to the affidavit, on October 6th, at around 8:39 a.m., a female individual (later identified as the victim) contacted the TPS to report that her husband (defendant) was allegedly causing a disturbance at her family’s home. The victim also reported that the defendant had threatened to harm and kill both her and their children.

The officers responded to the call and made initial contact with the victim, who explained the situation involving the defendant. The victim stated that on October 6th, the defendant approached her while she was at a friend’s house, asking to talk. As they walked down from the house, the defendant yelled profanities at her and also threatened her by telling her to hang herself using her sarong while he records her.

The victim also stated that on October 4, 2024 at around 12:00 p.m., the defendant had called to inform her that he had picked up their 6-year-old daughter from school and asked if she would like it, if their daughter was “in pieces”. The victim stated that she begged the defendant for her daughter and was able to get her back, then she told him to leave or she would call the police.

During the interview with the victim, she further stated that the defendant wanted her to kill herself while he recorded it using his personal cell phone. During the confrontation, the defendant attempted to choke the victim leaving scratches on her neck while her cousin intervened to stop the defendant.

The victim’s cousin (witness) was also interviewed and he verbally stated that during the altercation between the defendant and the victim, the victim had circled around him, using him to block the defendant from getting to her.

The witness stated that the defendant said he wanted to kill the victim. The witness, in his written statement, also said that while he was home, the victim came to his house. And, the defendant opened the door and chased the victim in circles and threatened the victim by telling her that he wanted to kill her.

The victim emphasized that this was not the first time the defendant had made such threats especially to her and their kids. She stated that he had previously threatened that he would kill their girls and then himself after.

The affidavit also stated that the defendant had fled the scene and police were unable to locate him.

The defendant is identified as a 39-year-old U.S National.