Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man arrested for assaulting his wife is now charged with unlawful possession of illegal drugs after police found meth in his possession.

The defendant, a 41-year-old taxi driver appeared in court last month for his initial appearance where he informed the court that he wanted to exercise his constitutional rights to a preliminary examination (PX).

The defendant is charged with one count of unlawful possession of meth, a felony, along with 3rd-degree assault involving domestic violence and disturbing the private peace (PPD) involving domestic violence, both misdemeanors.

Bail is set at $10,000.

On Mar. 28, 2022, the TPS received a call from a woman in Ottoville asking for help after being assaulted by her husband.

Several police officers responded to the call and met up with the reporter in this case, who was also the victim where she briefed officers about what happened. She directed officers to the back of the house where he husband was.

The defendant was placed under police custody after police interviewed the victim.

Before the defendant was transported to the TPS, he was patted down for weapons and illegal drugs. During the pat down, police discovered a glass pipe containing a white crystalline substance inside on him. When asked where he got the glass pipe, the defendant told police he bought the glass pipe from a friend.

According to the government’s case, the defendant attempted to hide the glass pipe after police pulled it out from his pocket by reaching out and grabbing it while a police officer was holding it in his hand, and trying to put it back inside his pocket.

First, the defendant refused to speak to investigators regarding the glass pipe, but after being Mirandized, he informed investigators that he fully understands his rights and he would like to make a statement.

In his verbal statement to investigators, the defendant apologized for what happened to his wife and immediately admitted to his action. He told investigators that the glass pipe belonged to him.

He said he went to an old friend’s house in Vaitogi and bought a small sized baggie containing methamphetamine for $25. He then put the meth inside the glass pipe and smoked it at the back of his house. An hour later, he was arrested by police for allegedly beating his wife.

The defendant further told police that he acquired drugs for his own personal use, not for sale.