Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 13, 2024, a victim of alleged domestic violence contacted the police to report being assaulted by her boyfriend.

While police officers were unable to locate the suspect, he was later charged with the following:

Count 1: 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 $300.

According to the affidavit, on July 13, at around 1:10 p.m, a young woman (later identified as the victim) reported alleged domestic violence between her and her boyfriend on July 12, 2024 at around noon time.

Police officers went and met up with the victim where she briefed the officers about what happened.

The victim stated that she and her boyfriend, Natu Ropati, had a verbal altercation over an issue they had at work.

She said that she was trying to explain the meeting she had with her boss, when her boyfriend got furious with the topic she brought up. The victim explained that the defendant stood up and walked towards her and started throwing punches.

The victim stated that she lost count on how many punches Ropati threw at her, and that while trying to defend herself, she (victim) grabbed what appeared to be a bottle and threw it at the defendant. At which point, the defendant grabbed a long wooden stick and threatened to hit her with it.

She said just as the defendant was getting close to her, his uncle came in and held him back. After being scolded by his uncle, the defendant then left the house and never showed up again.

The victim also noted that this wasn’t the first incident that had happened between them and that she was afraid that it might get worse the next time and that is why she finally reported the matter to the authorities.

The defendant’s uncle also verbally stated that he witnessed the defendant assaulting the victim and threatening her with a wooden stick. That was when he intervened by holding back his nephew (defendant) and chased him away from the house to prevent further arguments.

Given the lack of information on the defendant’s whereabouts, police officers weren’t able to locate Ropati.

The affidavit does not state when, how or if the defendant was apprehended.

The defendant is identified as a 25-year-old citizen of Samoa.