Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 10, 2026, a 38-year-old woman reported to police that she was violently assaulted by her longtime partner earlier this month, an incident that left her with missing teeth, head injuries, and lasting fear for her safety.

Police said the victim arrived at the station accompanied by her employer, who encouraged her to report the incident despite the victim’s initial reluctance. The employer told officers that the woman had been assaulted by her partner the previous week and needed assistance.

The defendant was charged with the following:

Count 1: Assault in the Second Degree (DV) - a class D felony, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine of not more than $5000 but not less than $150, or both such imprisonment and fine; and

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV) - a class C misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300 but not less than $150, or both such imprisonment and fine.

The defendant was held without bail.

(Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identity of the victim.)

According to the affidavit, filed in the District Court on Jan. 12th, the victim told officers that the assault occurred on the morning of Jan. 3, 2026, while she was preparing for work.

She said when she refused sex with him and ignored him and walked past him, he suddenly punched her in the mouth, causing her to fall to the floor.

The victim stated that while she was on the ground, her partner kicked her in the face several times. One of the blows struck her mouth, causing her to lose her two front teeth. She attempted to sit up and shield her face with her arms, but the suspect then grabbed her work bag, removed a knife, and used the handle of the knife to strike her on her back and head.

The victim said the blows to her head caused her scalp to bleed. When she tried to grab the knife to stop him, it slipped from her hand and cut her finger. She explained to officers that she did not immediately report the assault because she did not own a phone and did not want to wake nearby neighbors who were asleep at the time.

Later that same day, the victim packed her belongings, fled the residence, and sought refuge with her employer. The victim also told police that the suspect repeatedly called her workplace and coworkers trying to locate her.

According to the affidavit, on Jan. 9th, while waiting for a bus after work, the victim said she saw the suspect’s vehicle approaching and feared for her life. She ran back into her workplace and hid until she felt it was safe to leave.

The victim further stated that she went to the hospital on Jan. 8th due to continued head pain from the assault. However, she admitted that she lied to medical staff and told them she had slipped and hit her head because she was afraid to reveal the true cause of her injuries.

Officers observed that the victim’s two front teeth were missing and noted an injury on her scalp. They also documented a small cut on her finger consistent with her account of trying to grab the knife during the assault. The victim told police that the knife was normally used for work purposes.

The victim requested a restraining order against her partner and stated that there had been previous incidents of violence that were never reported.

She said they had been together for about eight years and had been living together for the past two years.

Later that day, officers located the suspect at the residence identified by the victim. He agreed to provide a verbal statement to the police.

The affidavit also stated that the suspect admitted that he punched the victim and kicked her in the face three times. He claimed he became angry after suspecting the victim of having an affair and confronting her about her feelings toward him. He denied using the handle of a knife to strike her.

The suspect told officers he believed the victim only stayed with him for financial reasons and accused her of repeatedly returning to another man. He stated that these suspicions and arguments led to his anger on the day of the assault.

Police have documented the injuries and statements from both parties as part of an ongoing investigation. The victim has expressed fear for her safety and is seeking legal protection through a restraining order.

The suspect is identified as a 60-year-old citizen of Fiji, while the victim is a 38-year-old citizen of Samoa.

[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. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court. ra]