Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 11, 2025, the Leone Police Substation (LPS) received a call regarding a domestic dispute between a couple. The incident was reported by the suspect’s parents.

The suspect was later charged with:

Count 1, 3, & 5: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2, 4, & 6: 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.

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

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

According to the court affidavit, on Mar. 11th, at around 12:55 p.m., a woman called the LPS to report that her son (later identified as the suspect) allegedly punched his girlfriend.

Police officers responded to the said call and upon arrival at the scene they met up with the victim, who told officers that the suspect had beaten her up again.

When asked how she was assaulted, the victim explained that the suspect punched her twice in the face with a spray bottle which bruised her mouth. The victim stated that she was carrying their 9-month-old baby when she was assaulted.

Moreover, the victim told the officers that the suspect was just released from the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) about a week ago.

The authorities also spoke with the suspect’s parents and they explained that they witnessed their son punching his girlfriend in the face. The suspect’s father said he intervened and stopped the assault. He also warned the suspect that he was going to call the police. The suspect then stopped and walked away from the house.

At about 1:50 p.m., the victim was transported to the LPS for further questioning and for treatment by the EMS. Upon arrival at the station, Social Services was contacted to assist the victim especially due to the fact that the suspect was still at large and the victim resides with the suspect’s family.

The officers asked the victim how many times she has been assaulted by the suspect and she explained that it was about three times, starting on Mar, 7th.

The victim stated that on Mar. 7th, she and the suspect had a verbal altercation at home and the suspect punched her twice in the face. Another altercation occurred on Mar. 9th, where the suspect punched her in her mouth twice causing her gold tooth to fall out and she bled from her mouth.

The victim said that she did not report the incident to the police at the time because she feared that the suspect would assault her again.

At about 3:45 p.m., Social Services arrived at the station and assisted the victim.

After their assessment of the victim, she was taken along with her baby and teenage daughter to a shelter for women and children.

The defendant is identified as a 19-year-old U.S National.

It’s unknown if he has subsequently been arrested.