Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 6, 2025, a concerned mother contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported her son for allegedly assaulting his wife and causing a disturbance.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000.00, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $2,000.

According to the court affidavit, on July 6th, at about 7:00 a.m., a mother contacted the authorities and reported that her son (later identified as the suspect) was intoxicated and was allegedly causing a disturbance.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival, they made contact with the reporter (suspect’s mother). She directed the officers to her son (suspect) and stated that he had returned home intoxicated, entered the room where his wife (victim) was and physically assaulted her.

The suspect allegedly grabbed and threw the victim around the room.

Police officers apprehended the suspect and secured him in the police unit. The officers then interviewed his mother and she disclosed that this is not the first time such an incident had occurred. She stated that her son regularly consumes alcohol, returns home intoxicated and assaults his wife. She added that she is tired of his ongoing behavior.

Following this, the officers interviewed the victim and she reported that the suspect came home intoxicated, entered their room, grabbed her by the shirt and forcefully threw her to the ground multiple times. She stated that the suspect continued to yell profanities while their children were present. At this point, the suspect’s mother entered the room, removed the children and informed the suspect that she was calling the police.

The victim also confirmed that this pattern of behavior is recurring. She stated that her husband drinks, returns home intoxicated and assaults her in the presence of their children.

The suspect was transported to the TPS for further investigation. Upon arrival at the station, the suspect was Mirandized and agreed to make a statement.

According to the suspect, he denied any wrongdoing and claimed that upon entering the room, he was surprised when his wife scratched his face. He also claimed that he did not retaliate and simply stood there and asked the victim to stop.

Following the interview, the suspect was booked and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility awaiting the next available sitting of the District Court.