Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 18, 2024, a 7-month pregnant woman walked into the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) claiming her boyfriend allegedly assaulted her while her one-year-old son was with her.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300. but not less than $150., 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 $50,000.

(Samoa News has chosen to withhold names of those involved in the case to protect the identities of the victim and minor.)

According to the affidavit, on October 18th, at approximately 12:28 p.m., a pregnant woman walked into the FPS allegedly with visible scratches on both sides of her neck. The woman who was later identified as the victim wanted to file a report against her boyfriend who she claims her inside their residence in Fagatogo. The victim, who was 7 months pregnant, explained that she was assaulted while her one year old son was standing next to her.

The officer interviewed the victim regarding the allegations.

According to the victim’s statement, her boyfriend came home drunk that night (October 17, 2024). She stated that she and her one year-old son were preparing to head to bed when the defendant entered the room and lay next to them. She said that she stood up with her son because she was disgusted by the alcohol odor emanating from the defendant. The victim also admitted that she was angry at the defendant because they had an agreement in the past in which the defendant promised that he would stop his alcohol consumption.

The victim further explained that she attempted to leave the room but the defendant grabbed her from behind, wrapping both arms around her. She said that he squeezed her stomach so hard and swung her body vigorously affecting her abdomen area and threw her to the ground afterwards. The victim stated she tried to stand up but the defendant overpowered her and threw her to the ground again.

The defendant then stood above her and started strangling and choking her with both hands to the point where she suffocated and almost lost consciousness.

The victim claimed that the altercation felt as if it lasted a whole minute and the whole time, her one year-old son was standing and screaming right beside them. She also stated that if it wasn’t for her son’s screams combined with the loud banging noises from the assault, she claimed she would've lost her life that day.

She said that her son’s screams and the noises they made alarmed the defendant’s older brother and sister where they intervened by kicking down the door and pulling the defendant off of her.

The victim informed the authorities that both she and her son were traumatized because of the incident and that she feared for her life. She stated that this is the first time her boyfriend took things this far.

Later that same night after the incident, the victim was transported by the defendant’s older sister to LBJ Hospital where she was released the next morning. The victim sustained minor scratches on both sides of her neck.

Shortly after the victim’s interview, the victim informed the officers of the defendant’s whereabouts. He was located, apprehended without resistance and transported to the FPS for further investigation.

The defendant was Mirandized and he agreed to waive his rights.

The defendant admitted to choking his girlfriend while being under the influence of alcohol.

He was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) to be confined and await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a citizen of Samoa.