Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 15, 2024, a concerned mother contacted the police to report that her son allegedly assaulted her 14-year-old daughter.

The defendant along with two other family members were apprehended and charged separately.

Defendant #1, the victim’s brother was charged with Count 1: Third Degree Assault ( As a class C. Misd.) (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both.

HIs bail was set at $300.

Defendant #2 & #3, male family members of the victim were both charged with Count 1: Interfering with Arrest, a class misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000,

Their bail was set at $1,000 for each.

(Samoa News has withheld names of those involved to protect the identity of the minor, the victim in this case.)

According to the affidavit, on September 15th, at around 10:00 a.m., a concerned mother contacted the authorities to report that her son had assaulted her 14-year-old daughter. Police officers responded to the call and met with the mother who briefed the officers on what happened and directed them towards the room where the suspect was located.

As officers approached the room, it was locked from the inside and upon calling for the suspect to open the door he complied. The officers apprehended suspect #1 and escorted him outside the house. As they approached the police unit, two of the suspect’s family members attempted to intervene. One of the officers warned them against interfering with their duties; however, the two family members accused the officers of not doing their job. They also demanded the release of the suspect and they both shouted profanities in Samoan at the officers.

The officers continued to take the first suspect to the police unit and addressed suspect #2.

During this conversation, suspect #2 threatened one of the officers saying “Don’t make me punch your mouth”. The officers then attempted to grab suspect #2 but suspect #3 interfered by grabbing one of the officer’s hands in an attempt to get him to release suspect #2, his nephew. Suspect #3 also threatened another officer telling him to “let go of my nephew or I’ll punch your mouth”. Shortly after, suspect #2’s father came and took both suspects into the house.

While police officers waited for backup, they interviewed the suspect’s mother and sister (victim). The mother stated that this is not the first incident involving her son and expressed her desire for him to be removed from her home.

After speaking with the suspect’s mother, they met with the victim who was crying. The victim stated that suspect #1 slapped her face. The officers inquired of the victim the reason for the suspect’s actions and the victim stated that she overheard the suspect raising his voice and speaking disrespectfully to their mother. As a result, she entered the house and questioned him regarding his behavior. In response, the suspect turned and slapped her.

When backup arrived, officers immediately apprehended suspects 2 & 3 where they were also transported to the TPS for the booking process.

At the TPS, suspect #1 was Mirandized and he refused to make a statement pertaining to the incident.

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

The affidavit does not state additional information about suspects 2 & 3.