Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 13, 2026, a woman contacted the local authorities and reported that she was assaulted by a man later identified as Lopi Mani. The alleged early morning assault left the woman with serious burn injuries and facial bruising. 

The suspect, was later charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the First Degree (DV), a class B felony, but with a penalty enhancement by one class above the class otherwise provided, a class A felony, if found guilty;
Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class D felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and,
Count 3: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, the incident occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Sept. 13 at a residence in Ottoville.

The victim told police that she had just finished work and had been dropped off in Iliili by her boyfriend. After saying goodbye to him, she began walking toward the dirt road leading to her residence.

While walking, she reportedly encountered Mani, who approached her from the direction of the bus stop near Lupelele Elementary School.

According to the victim, Mani told her that his mother wanted to speak with her regarding the couple's marital situation. Believing that she was being asked to discuss the matter with his mother, the victim agreed to accompany him.

Police said Mani then led the woman to his residence in Ottoville.

Once inside the residence, the victim reportedly spoke with Mani's mother and sister about the situation involving her and Mani. During the conversation, she told them that she was in a relationship with another person and that she no longer wanted to continue her relationship with Mani.

The police report stated that Mani subsequently walked into the kitchen and then went outside. He allegedly called for the victim to come outside and asked her whether she was certain about her decision to end their relationship.

The victim reportedly told him that she was certain.

At about the same time, her boyfriend called her on the telephone, and she answered the call.

According to the victim's statement to police, she was speaking on the telephone when Mani walked back into the kitchen.

The victim told officers that she noticed, from the corner of her eye, that Mani appeared to be holding a small pot containing hot oil. She reportedly believed he was about to throw the oil directly at her face, and she quickly turned her head and body in an attempt to protect herself.

The hot oil allegedly struck her instead on several other parts of her body, including the back of her neck, back, buttocks and right hand.

The victim also told police that Mani then grabbed her by the head and punched her several times in the face. The alleged punches reportedly caused significant bruising around her left eye.

The victim did not initially contact the police station. Instead, she attempted to obtain emergency medical assistance. According to the report, EMS personnel were unavailable at that time, and she was eventually transported to LBJ Hospital by taxi.

Upon arriving at LBJ Hospital, the victim was evaluated and treated in the Emergency Room for what police described as severe burn injuries.

She was subsequently admitted as an inpatient and remained hospitalized while awaiting further treatment and surgery. The investigating officers reported that they personally observed the victim's injuries while interviewing her at the hospital.

Photographs were also taken by police as part of the investigation.

According to the police report, the photographs showed severe burns covering multiple areas of the victim's body, including the neck, back, arm, chest and shoulder.

The report described the burns as covering large areas of skin, with some areas where the skin had peeled away and other areas where large blisters had developed.

Because of the severity of her injuries, the victim was unable to provide police with a written statement. However, officers said she was able to verbally describe what allegedly occurred while she was receiving medical treatment.

Police also interviewed a family member who was reportedly present at the residence when the alleged assault occurred.

The witness was interviewed separately from the victim at LBJ Hospital and later provided police with a written statement.

According to the witness, Mani became angry after the victim disclosed that she had a boyfriend. The witness reportedly corroborated the victim's account that Mani threw what appeared to be hot oil at her.

The witness also reportedly described Mani as being extremely angry during the incident.

Mani then fled the residence after his mother instructed the witness to call police.

Investigators later attempted to locate Mani unsuccessfully. The victim provided police with information to identify Mani.

On Sept. 14, officers conducted a follow-up investigation and returned to LBJ Hospital to check on the victim.

At that time, the victim remained hospitalized and was awaiting surgery. Police said the surgery was to begin once an appropriate surgeon became available to treat the injuries she allegedly sustained during the incident.

The victim reportedly continued to experience pain.

During the follow-up visit, the investigating officer also observed that a dark bruise had developed around the victim's eye, consistent with her earlier allegation that she had been punched in the face.

Police also attempted to locate another potential witness, identified in the report as Mani's mother, ]but were unable to locate her either.

The police report also stated that Mani was believed to have been released from incarceration on or around Sept. 3, 2026, in connection with a separate criminal matter. The circumstances surrounding that previous case were not detailed in the report.
The defendant is a citizen of Samoa.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on Sept. 15, 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.]