Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 13, 2024, a female individual contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report an alleged assault by her husband.

The suspect was arrested and charge with 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, both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

According to the affidavit, on September 13th, at about 4:14 p.m., Police Headquarter Dispatcher contacted the TPS about a female that was reporting that her husband had assaulted her.

Police officers proceeded to the call and upon arrival met up with the reporter who introduced herself as the victim. The victim immediately told the officers of the exact whereabouts of her husband (suspect) — he was in his room.

One of the officers met with the suspect in his room, detained him and transported to the TPS.

The authorities advised the victim to make her way to the station for further investigation.

According to the victim, she called out to her husband to come and cook food for their kids and help out her uncle. She stated that the suspect walked over and swore at her in Samoan and called her names. The victim continued that they argued and then the suspect pushed and slapped her four times and also punched her in the eye. The victim stated that after their argument, the suspect shouted profanities at her again and that’s when she called the police.

On the same date at around 4:40 p.m., the suspect was MIrandized and agreed to make a statement.

The suspect stated that it all started when the victim walked around yelling his name and cursing. He claimed that the victim called out his name and said that it is the job of the “faiāva” (husband) to cook food for the family. The defendant said that he felt embarrassed that he walked towards the victim while she was throwing out his clothes in front of the house, and stated picked up his clothes, took them inside and placed them in the tub. The victim then came in the room and tried to take out his other clothes, and that’s when he pushed the victim out of the room.

Furthermore, at the same time he pushed her, he also told her to get out of the room and that he doesn’t want to argue with her.

The suspect was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined to await the next available sitting of the Distict Court.

The defendant is identified as a 33-year-old citizen of Samoa.