Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 26, 2026, Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received reports from a victim of a domestic dispute reporting that her husband was highly intoxicated and causing a disturbance. The suspect was also preventing her and their two daughters from leaving their residence. 

The suspect was later charged with:

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

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both.
The defendant was held without bail.

(Samoa News has withheld the names of the individuals involved to protect the identities of the minors and victims in this case. )

According to the court affidavit, the man's behavior allegedly changed as he became increasingly intoxicated. The victim told police that the suspect began arguing with her and threatening to leave her and their two daughters.

Concerned that the confrontation would escalate, the victim reportedly took her two daughters into a room and locked the door in an attempt to keep them away from the suspect.

She also told the officers that the suspect then repeatedly pounded on the door and yelled at her from outside the room.

The disturbance reportedly continued throughout the night, preventing the woman and her daughters from getting any rest.

The victim stated that eventually she attempted to leave the residence with her two daughters in order to get away from the situation. However, she alleged that the suspect blocked the doorway and prevented them from leaving.

When she attempted to open the door, her husband used physical force to keep it from opening.

The victim reportedly described the situation as feeling as though she and her daughters were being held hostage inside their own home.The following morning, July 26, the victim continued that she woke up and observed that her husband was still drinking.

The suspect continued yelling and swearing at her and their two daughters. She then decided to contact police for assistance.

Investigators noted that the July 26 incident was not the first time the Department of Public Safety had received a call from the woman concerning her husband. The matter appeared to be an ongoing issue between the couple.

After completing the interview with the victim, the officers approached the suspect, who was reportedly drinking behind the apartment.

The officers observed several empty beer cans near the suspect and he appeared to be drifting in and out of sleep.

Because of his apparent level of intoxication, officers were unable to obtain a verbal statement from him at the scene.

Police subsequently placed the suspect in handcuffs and transported him to the TPS for processing.

At the substation, he was placed in an interrogation room and booked before being transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility.

The defendant is identified as a 48-year-old Fijian.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 28, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.]