Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man from Iliili accused of attempting to assault his uncle’s wife while she was holding her 18-month-old grandson was arrested last month.

Ameperosa Viliamu, 32, made his initial appearance in District Court where Judge Elvis P. Patea granted a motion from the defense attorney to release Viliamu on his own recognizance to await his next court appearance. Viliamu is not to make any direct or indirect contact with the victim and her family.

He is charged with third degree assault, public peace disturbance, and endangering the welfare of a child, all class A misdemeanors, punishable by imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

According to the government’s case, on Jan. 09, 2021, police received a call regarding a peace disturbance in Iiili.

Upon arrival at the scene, two responding officers found a male — later identified as the defendant — sitting in front of his house. As investigators were speaking to Viliamu, a woman walked out and told police she was the one who reported the incident, and also is the victim in this case.

According to the victim, the confrontation started when she approached her husband’s nephew (defendant) about burglarizing her home and stealing items from the house including money. She said she spoke to Viliamu about how disrespectful his actions were, and that's when Viliamu allegedly threw a metal object at her, while she was holding her 18-month-old grandson.

The metal object missed the victim’s head and hit the concrete wall. That’s when Viliamu walked over to where the victim was standing and pushed her towards the house door, causing the victim to hit the back of her head on the side of the door — all while holding the toddler.

According to the victim, the defendant was heavily intoxicated and was cussing at her. She claims that Viliamu walked over and tried to punch her, but she ran into her house and locked the door.

She told police she was afraid and concerned for her safety and that of her young grandchildren because she knows her husband’s nephew is on drugs and if they don’t take him, he will come later and beat her — or someone at their home — because he knows she called the police on him.

The victim’s husband was not home when the alleged incident took place.

According to the government, Viliamu was sober when police approached him; but for the safety of the woman and the baby, he was arrested and detained to await his appearance in District Court.

When interviewed by police, Viliamu explained that he assaulted his uncle’s wife because she was spreading lies in the village and in the church, telling people that he broke into her home and took off with personal items.

Viliamu told police that he loves his uncle and his family; however, he was upset because people were mocking him and accusing him of going to his brother’s house late at night while his brother is away.

He admitted that he assaulted the victim by pushing her towards the door while she was holding her grandson, and cussing at her, out of anger.

(In 2016, District Court sentenced Viliamu to 12 months after being convicted of assaulting a male by striking the victim’s head with a piece of lumber.)