Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 16, 2026, a concerned co-worker of a victim of domestic violence called the local police to report an alleged assault at their place of employment.

The defendant was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year and a fine not to exceed $1,000 or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: False Imprisonment (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year and a fine not to exceed $1,000 or both; and,

Count 3: Public Peace Disturbance (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months and a fine not to exceed $500 or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, the incident unfolded on May 16, 2026, when police were alerted by employees of a local store after surveillance footage reportedly showed a man confronting a woman in the parking lot and then driving away with her.

Authorities say a store employee became concerned after reviewing the business' security cameras. The footage allegedly showed the defendant waiting outside the store before approaching a vehicle driven by the victim as she returned from her lunch break.

The video showed the defendant walking toward the vehicle as it attempted to park. Investigators allege he struck the driver's side of the vehicle several times and continued yelling at the driver. When the driver's door opened, the defendant allegedly began striking into the vehicle before entering through the driver's side door.

Police say the vehicle then abruptly backed out of its parking space and left the area.

Officers were dispatched to investigate the situation after concerns were raised that the individuals inside the vehicle could be in danger. By the time investigators arrived, the victim had returned to the store while the defendant remained outside.

Both parties were subsequently transported to the Tafuna Police Substation for questioning.

Before interviewing the victim, officers requested a medical evaluation due to visible injuries. The emergency medical personnel examined the victim and found no broken bones. However, investigators observed numerous injuries, including swelling, bruising, scratches, and abrasions on her face, neck, shoulders, arms, ears, and back.

During an interview with police, the victim stated that she had left work during her lunch break to run a personal errand and was returning to the store when she noticed the defendant waiting outside.

She alleged that as she attempted to park her vehicle, the defendant suddenly approached, opened the driver's side door, and began striking her repeatedly. The victim reported being shoved across the vehicle as the defendant climbed into the driver's seat and drove away.

The victim further alleged that while driving, the defendant repeatedly demanded to know where she had been during her lunch break. Despite her explanations, she claimed the defendant continued to assault her and refused her requests to return to the store.

Moreover, the victim stated that the defendant eventually stopped the vehicle at another location, where the two spoke before returning to the victim's workplace.

The victim reportedly told investigators that the couple had been dating for approximately five months and that previous incidents of physical violence had occurred during their relationship.

When questioned by police, the defendant initially denied assaulting the victim.

However, after investigators showed him surveillance footage from the store, he allegedly admitted to striking the victim.

The defendant told officers he had gone to the store looking for the victim after hearing information that made him suspicious about her whereabouts. He reportedly became angry when he was unable to contact her by phone.

The defendant later admitted that when the victim returned to work, he confronted her, entered the vehicle, and repeatedly struck her.

He later told investigators that he regretted his actions and wanted to apologize.

The defendant was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on May 19, 2026 in support of the criminal complaint.

The defendant is identified as Salevao Toleafoa, a 20-year old citizen of Samoa.

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.]