Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 22, 2024, a female individual called the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report that she and her husband were allegedly assaulted by her brother-in-law.

The defendant was arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Second Degree (DV), a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of $5,000 but not less than $150, or both;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 3: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for fifteen years, a fine of $300, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $30,000.

According to the court affidavit, on November 22nd, a female individual (later identified as victim #1) contacted the FPS and requested assistance in regards to her and her husband being assaulted by her husband’s youngest brother (suspect) at their residence.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival, they observed a male individual holding two cans of beer, one in each hand. The male individual walked towards the police unit and authorities observed minor scratches on the right side of his neck and detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from him.

The officers stopped the male individual and asked for directions to the victim’s house. He pointed out the house and identified himself as the suspect.

The suspect was apprehended and he was placed in the police unit.

Shortly after, a visibly distressed lady staggered her way towards the police unit and the officers later identified her as victim #1/ reporter.

Victim #1 stated that she and her husband (victim #2), had been assaulted by her intoxicated brother-in-law in the presence of their six children (ages 1-12). The victim further stated that the suspect’s behavior was nothing new and he has been given many chances but this time he went too far.

The victim was told by the officers to gather all her kids and her husband and to accompany them to the station for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the FPS, the officers interviewed the victims while the suspect was placed in a separate room.

According to victim #1’s statement, it all started on Nov. 22, 2024 because of a conversation she had with the suspect’s girlfriend who lives overseas. The victim explained that she and the suspect’s girlfriend kept in contact with each other due to the girlfriend having trust issues. The victim continued that the suspect went through a divorce before he met his current girlfriend which led to her explaining to the suspect’s girlfriend all that happened in the suspect’s previous marriage.

Furthermore, when the suspect found out about his girlfriend and his sister-in-law’s conversation he was furious and left the house.

Sometime later that day, the victim sent her son to the store to buy groceries and upon returning her son told her that the suspect was drinking at a vacant house a few blocks away from their house. Not long after receiving word from her son, she went into their room to prepare her kids for bed and she heard the suspect in the living room.

The victim stated that the suspect was on the phone with his mother crying and yelling, he was also blaming her for all the issues he was having with his girlfriend.

The victim said she walked out of their room along with her kids and confronted the suspect. Upon doing so, she was punched in the head by the suspect repeatedly to the point where she fell to the ground. At the same time, the suspect continued to yell profanities in Samoan which alarmed her husband who was sleeping.

Her husband intervened and scuffled with the suspect but was overpowered. The suspect punched her husband multiple times, knocking him on the couch where he fell to the ground.

While all this was taking place, the victim stated that her children were right beside them.

The suspect then repeatedly punched her on the back of her head and kicked her on the right side of her stomach which caused pain on the right side of her abdomen and a minor lump on the back of her head. The injuries were confirmed by an additional inspection by the officers and the EMS.

Both victims refused any medical treatment and stated that they just wanted to go home. It was later revealed that victim #1 is 2 months pregnant.

The suspect was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined to await the next available District Court sitting.

The defendant is identified as a 27-year-old citizen of Samoa.