Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 4, 2024, a victim called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported that her husband allegedly threatened to kill her if she left with their kids.

He was  charged with:

Count 1, 2, & 3: Assault in the Third Degree (As a C Misd.) (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300.00 but not less than $150, or both; and,

Count 4 & 5: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300.00 but not less than $150, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $3,000.

( Samoa News has withheld names of those involved to protect the identities of the victim and minors involved in the case.)

According to the court affidavit, on Dec. 4th, at about 4:00 p.m., the reporter (later identified as the victim) contacted the TPS requesting immediate assistance. The victim stated that she got into a verbal argument with her husband (suspect) — it was an ongoing incident that first began on Dec. 1, when she allegedly discovered a glass pipe, which is a tool commonly used to smoke methamphetamine (meth).

The victim continued that she cracked the glass pipe, and when the suspect discovered that the glass pipe had been broken and disposed of he got agitated because it belonged to him. The suspect verbally threatened the victim and stated “if you say anything I will stab you with a knife and pull out your throat.”

On Monday, Dec. 2nd, the victim was doing laundry at the laundromat, when the suspect approached her while she was folding her laundry and yelled at her. The suspect asked her and demanded to know who cracked his second glass pipe inside his vehicle. The victim stated that she was confused and was not sure what the suspect was talking about. She then tried to explain to the suspect but he turned towards her and told her, “If you say anything I’ll bash your head with the spanner”.

On Wednesday, Dec. 4th, the suspect demanded money from her (victim) to which she replied that “all the money left is for the kids’ food”. The victim stated she got frustrated with the suspect and eventually gave up the money for the kids food just to avoid another argument. She then told the suspect that she was taking her kids and moving back to her parents’ house.

The suspect became furious and threatened that if she leaves, he will come to her workplace and kill her. She stated she waited patiently for the suspect to leave the house before she was able to call the police.

Upon arrival at the scene, the officers met with the victim who directed them to where the suspect was. The victim appeared scared and fearful for her life and presented a silent demeanor. When the officers approached the suspect and notified him about the accusation, the suspect pushed the victim towards the officers and took off on foot.

The officers pursued the suspect but their efforts were unsuccessful.

The victim and her 3 kids were transported to the TPS for further investigation. Upon arrival at the TPS, the Department of Human Social Services (DHSS) was contacted in regards to the matter after which they arrived and conducted their assessment. Based on the DHSS assessment, they concluded that the victim was safe to move in with her parents for the time being.

It was noted in the affidavit that the suspect was still at large and is a threat to the victim, with the continuous verbal threats made on a daily basis; the fact that the victim’s parents’ house is less than a 100 feet away from the suspect’s house; and, the suspect’s demeanor and anger issues. The victim is not safe until the suspect is incarcerated, the affidavit stated.

The defendant is identified as a 34-year-old U.S National.