Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 28, 2026, a late‑night domestic violence incident led to the arrest and detention of a man accused of assaulting his wife while their one‑month‑old infant was in the room.

The case highlights what officers described as an ongoing pattern of alcohol‑related conflict in the household.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: 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; and,

Count 3: Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

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

According to the court affidavit, filed on Jan. 30th, police were first notified around 9:10 p.m. by the suspect’s mother, who reported that her son had been arguing aggressively with his wife and behaving in a way that placed their infant at risk.

Officers responding to the call stated that the mother appeared concerned and anxious as she met them near a local church. She told authorities she feared for the child’s safety because her son had been drinking heavily and throwing items inside the couple’s room while the baby was present. She also stated that this was not the first time she had intervened in a similar situation.

 Officers followed her to the residence, where they encountered the victim — an adult female — who approached them in a visibly distressed and nervous state. According to the report, officers immediately began interviewing her to determine what had taken place.

The victim explained that the incident was part of an ongoing problem in their relationship. She said that her husband regularly came home intoxicated and would provoke arguments, even though they had an agreement that he would refrain from drinking except on Fridays so that he could assist with caring for their newborn child.

The victim told police that earlier that evening her husband arrived home smelling strongly of alcohol, contradicting the agreement. Upset, she confronted him a about his drinking.

According to her statement, the suspect became agitated and the argument escalated. The victim admitted she made a remark during the argument, telling him the baby “was not his but Jesus’,” which further enraged him.

Police were told that the suspect then began throwing objects around the room, yelling, and ultimately slapped her across the head while the infant was lying on the bed next to her. No profane words were reported being used, during the initial assessment, but later follow‑up interviews confirmed vulgar language had been used.

After speaking with the victim, responding officers escorted her into the residence to check for possible injuries. Though upset and shaken, she did not have visible bruises or marks on her head, neck, or shoulders. Officers documented this observation at the scene before initiating efforts to locate the suspect.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m., officers found two adult men sitting outside a home, and when asked if they had seen the suspect, one of the men identified himself as the suspect police were looking for.

Officers informed him of the situation and, after a brief discussion, took him into custody. Officers noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. The suspect was transported first to a police substation for processing and then to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be held pending his appearance in District Court.

The following evening, on Jan. 29th, officers returned to the residence to conduct further investigation and obtain additional statements.

During the follow‑up interview, the victim reiterated that the suspect had thrown an electric fan across the room during the argument while she and the infant were still present. She also stated that the suspect verbally insulted her, using a profane term during the altercation — details that were not fully disclosed during the initial interview due to her emotional state.

The suspect’s mother also provided additional information during the follow‑up visit, telling police that she heard the suspect yelling prior to the victim running out of the room in tears. She described the victim as frightened and seeking immediate help.

Officers photographed the electric fan and the room where the incident took place to document the scene. These photographs were added to the case file along with the officers’ observations and the victim’s statements.

The suspect remains in custody while the case proceeds through the judicial process. Court officials are expected to review the charges in the coming days, and prosecutors will determine how to move forward based on the evidence gathered.

The defendant is identified as a 23-year-old citizen of Samoa.

[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.]