Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 8, 2024, a woman walked into the Fagatogo Police station to report her neighbor who allegedly assaulted her at her home in Fagatogo.

Setu Talaimanu was arrested and later charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV)) — a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The bail for the defendant was set at $1,000.

According to the affidavit, on April 8, at about 7:55 a.m, a woman walked into the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report her neighbor assaulted her outside her home in Fagatogo, punching her countless times with a closed fist, aiming for her head; however she managed to block it with her arms causing her right forearm to bruise and swell. She further stated that the defendant threw pieces of drywall at her and threatened to kill her, and also yelled profanities at her.

A police officer interviewed the victim at the station.

During the interview, the officer observed minor lacerations on the victim’s right forearm and immediately asked the victim if she needed any medical treatment, which was refused by the victim. The officer then took photos of the victim’s injuries on her right leg and her right forearm.

The officer then asked the victim about her injuries, whereas she verbally stated in a pained voice that she was beaten up by Setu Talaimanu using pieces of drywall. After the victim’s interview she provided police with a written statement.

Police officers then proceeded to locate the defendant and upon arrival at the scene the victim pointed out the house where the defendant was staying.

It was a two-story building, and on the second floor it was separated into two rooms. The victim explained that the defendant and his family live in the other room and she stays in the other room with her uncle.

The officers then met with two individuals inside the house later identified as her uncle and the defendant.

The uncle gave a brief explanation of what happened and the police approached the defendant to inform him that he will be taken to the FPS for further investigation to which the defendant agreed.

The defendant was placed in police custody and transported to the FPS.

At the FPS, the defendant was Mirandized and voluntarily waived his rights and provided a statement.

According to Talaimanu, on April 8, 2024, he got agitated towards the victim because of his 14-year-old daughter. The defendant explained he saw the victim try to beat up his daughter while they were arguing outside the house. That’s when he slapped and punched the victim in the face with a closed fist.

The defendant was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 43-year-old citizen of Samoa.