Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 24, 2024, a woman contacted the Fagatogo Police Station alleging that her husband assaulted and threatened her after she failed to sign his immigration papers. The defendant had fled the scene.

He was later charged him with the following:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both; and,

Count 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 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 mother and minor in this case)

According to the affidavit, on June 24, 2024 at 1:34 p.m, a female individual (later identified as the victim) contacted the FPS to file a complaint against her husband. The victim reported that her husband threatened her and violently threw her around inside their home in Utulei.

Police officers arrived at the scene, after an unknown female walking out of her house waved down the police unit. The unknown female, who was later identified as the victim, met with the police and explained everything that happened and later pointed out that her husband (defendant) went uphill to where their other family house is located.

At the same time, one of the officers called out to the family members asking for the defendant’s whereabouts, in which they replied that he fled up to the mountains when he knew that the police had arrived.

Police officers then informed the victim to come to the FPS for further investigation, and placed the victim inside the police unit. The officers then swept the area and looking up the mountains to try and locate the suspect, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Upon arrival at the station at around 2:40 p.m, the officers interviewed the victim, who later provided a written statement.

The officers also questioned the victim if she had any injuries in which she showed them her injuries — minor scratches behind her right ear, and on her back. She was asked her if she needed any medical assistance but the victim refused. Police officers then took photos of the victim’s injuries.

According to the victim’s written statement, the incident happened that same day with her husband at their residence in Utulei at around 2:00 p.m.

She explained that the defendant threatened her in the morning by saying he would hurt her if she didn’t sign his immigration papers to renew his Immigration identification card (ID).

And she stated that right when he came back from the EOB, the defendant came straight at her and hurt her by pulling the right side of her puletasi top and her hair while she was sitting next to her dad lying in bed.

The victim further said that she did not have time to go and sign her husband’s immigration papers that day because she was occupied with her daughter’s Summer games held at Tafuna. The victim stated that she told the defendant later that she would try to make time the next day for his papers.

However, the defendant was still very upset and swore that this issue will not stop if she doesn’t sign his immigration papers.

The victim admitted that her main concern was the defendant saying violent and aggressive threats towards her while her kids were present.

She stated that the defendant threatened her in the morning and during the incident saying he would kill her, hurt her and stab her with a knife. Moreover, he also threatened to hurt her family if she didn't agree to sign his immigration papers.

The victim also revealed that this has been an ongoing issue for almost three weeks now. She told the officers that on Monday, the defendant threatened her in front of her kids by saying he will cut her with the knife and kill her if she doesn’t give her the car keys.

On June 24, 2024 at about 2:45 p.m, the officers proceeded to the victim’s residence in Utulei to follow up on the incident by interviewing the victim’s minor daughter (12-year-old) and her father who witnessed what happened, at the victim’s residence. The mother was present during the  interviews.

According to the daughter’s written statement, she stated that she saw her dad pull her mom’s top twice and slap her back once. She then explained that her dad used his right hand to pull her mom’s top and she was crying telling her dad to stop. Furthermore, she stated that she heard her dad swearing at her mom and telling her to go and sign the immigration papers. The daughter said that she kept crying and told her dad to stop because they were listening to what he was saying.

Moreover, she stated that she saw her older sister trying to stop their father from hurting their mom by crying and pulling him away by his shirt from their mother. She then revealed that their dad used both of his hands to pull her sister’s shirt and pushed her which caused her back to hit the trophy shelf.

According to the victim’s father, he verbally stated that he was asleep on his bed in the living room but was shocked when he turned back and saw his son-in-law beating up his daughter. The father explained that he is crippled and was unable to get up and stop the defendant.

After interviewing the victim’s daughter and father, they were advised to contact the FPS if the defendant shows up at the house at any time without him knowing.

Based on the investigation and circumstances of this matter, the officers recommended that the defendant be charged with PPD and Assault in Third Degree.

The affidavit does not state when the defendant was apprehended.

The defendant is identified as a 43-year-old citizen of Samoa.