Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 8, 2026, a victim contacted the local authorities and reported a man identified as Tualega Time, who allegedly forced his way into her residence in Satala and threatened her while holding a screwdriver.

Mr. Time, the defendant, was later charged with:

Count 1: Burglary in the Second Degree (DV), a class C felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed seven years, a fine not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Trespass (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both;

Count 3: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both;

Count 4: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both;

Count 5: Property Damage in the Third Degree (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both;

Count 6: Stalking (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 7: False Imprisonment (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, filed on Feb. 10th in the District Court, police received a call at approximately 12:23 p.m. from the victim reporting that her husband had been trying to break into her home despite repeated warnings for him to stay away.

The victim also reported that the suspect had been harassing her through voice messages and had been going to her workplace late at night during her shifts.

Police officers responded to the call and arrived at the residence where they observed the victim outside the home appearing distressed, shaken, and visibly upset. She was accompanied by a family member, who had come to assist her after hearing the disturbance.

While officers checked the area and examined damage to the residence, the victim explained what had occurred earlier that day. According to the victim, Time arrived at her home and began aggressively knocking on the front door while demanding that she open it. The victim said she refused and repeatedly told him “no.”

The affidavit stated that the suspect then went to the back door and forced it open. The victim told police she could hear footsteps approaching her bedroom before the suspect demanded that she open the bedroom door. She refused to do so, but the suspect allegedly forced the bedroom door open, and she saw the suspect holding a screwdriver in his hand.

She told the officers that she feared for her life because she believed the suspect was going to attack or seriously harm her with the tool. The suspect then approached the victim while continuing to yell at her. The victim said she became extremely frightened and sat down because she did not know what the suspect was going to do next.

She immediately dialed 911 while crying and shaking.

The victim told police she believed that those moments could have been the last of her life because she feared the suspect might use the screwdriver to harm her.

During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly verbally abused the victim and made accusations against her while yelling aggressively. The affidavit also stated that the suspect repeatedly demanded that she stand up, but the victim remained seated out of fear.

The suspect only left after she began to call 911 on her phone. However, the victim told police that she remained in fear for her safety even after he left.

The victim further informed officers that she has repeatedly told the suspect both verbally and in writing to stay away from her residence and not to return. However, she said the suspect continues to come to the home, often late at night. The victim stated that she is the owner of the home.

According to the affidavit, the victim also told officers that the suspect has a history of substance abuse.

In addition, during the investigation, officers learned that the suspect had been interfering with the victim at her workplace. She told police that the suspect had been sending voice messages late at night claiming that he would be waiting outside her workplace.

Police spoke with security guards at the victim’s work compound who confirmed that Time had been seen walking around the building and looking through the windows in an attempt to locate the victim while she was working.

Officers also documented damage to the victim’s bedroom door, which had a small hole that appeared to have been caused when the suspect struck it with the screwdriver while forcing it open. Photos of the damaged door were taken as evidence.

Police located Time, after being directed by the victim as to license plate of her husband’s car, his description, and probable usual location in Lauli’i. He was eventually found after police searched the area and transported him to the Fagatogo Police Station for questioning.

According to the affidavit, the defendant provided a verbal statement to the officers, and was later booked to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, pending his court appearance.

The defendant is identified as a 43-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.]