Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 10, 2023 at 9:59 PM, a correctional officer contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report that an inmate, identified as Joseph Mosegi, allegedly assaulted another inmate at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TFC) in the Charlie Unit.

Department of Public Safety officers responded to the call at 10:10 PM, and met with the correctional officer who phoned the situation in, and pointed out the victim of the incident. Minor lacerations were observed on the inmate’s eyebrow and chin, with bloodstains.

At 10:12 PM, officers interviewed the inmate, and who said he was making his way to the main office to drop off some food to the Correction Officers at the front. After dropping off the food, he went back into his cell in the Charlie unit. When he got there, he was looking for his laundry basket, and heard someone opening his cell door.

 As he turned around to check who was opening his cell door, the suspect allegedly punched him in the eye with a flashlight he was holding. The inmate said afterwards he felt dizzy and almost passed out and opted to sit down. However, the suspect allegedly continued striking him — on his chin with the flashlight, and punching him several times. The injured inmate says the assailant was swearing at him as well.

The inmate said that he had no idea why the defendant was beating him up.

At 10:45 PM after interviewing the assaulted inmate, officers then met with the suspect at the TCF and Mirandized him. While he was being read his rights, the suspect told officers he did not want to continue with the Mirandizing and requested some time and space.

The defendant then allegedly spontaneously said that he was not in the right state of mind. He also told officers that he had some family problems going on, which resulted in him lashing out and assaulting the victim.

The 42-year-old inmate is being charged with assault in the third degree, and has received no bail.