Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 14, 2026, a victim of a domestic dispute contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report her boyfriend, Taleni Nove (later identified as suspect/ defendant) who allegedly assaulted her. 

The suspect was later arrested and charged as follow:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and,
Count 2, 3, & 4: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not more than $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $5,000.

According to the court affidavit, the incident was reported to the TPS at approximately 8:24 p.m. by the victim, who contacted authorities seeking assistance after allegedly being assaulted by her boyfriend.

Police officers responded to the scene however, upon their arrival, neither the defendant nor the victim were present.

Officers observed a male individual standing outside the store who identified himself as a store employee and a witness to the incident. The witness informed police that both individuals had left the area after the victim contacted authorities.

During an interview with investigators, the witness stated that he observed a Samoan man striking a woman twice in the head with his fist, causing her to fall to the ground.

The witness further alleged that the man choked the woman and dragged her from the front entrance of the store toward the parking lot. He said he yelled at the man to stop when he saw the woman fall to the ground.

The defendant reportedly left the scene following the confrontation.

Police also interviewed a second witness, a cashier employed at the store, who provided a similar account of the incident.

According to the cashier, the couple appeared to be arguing when they initially entered the establishment. The defendant subsequently exited the store and waited outside while the victim remained inside. 

The cashier told investigators that as soon as the victim walked out of the store, the defendant aggressively grabbed her and pushed her to the ground. The victim reportedly attempted to cover her face to protect herself during the confrontation.

The store owner later provided police with surveillance footage of the incident to assist in identifying the individual responsible.

According to the police report, investigators reviewed the footage and observed the defendant's actions toward the victim. Police noted that the video evidence corroborated the statements provided by the two witnesses.

Following the interviews, officers canvassed the surrounding area in an attempt to locate both individuals.

While searching the area, police observed a male walking along the roadside whose appearance matched the description of the individual captured in the surveillance footage.

Officers approached the individual and confirmed his identity as Nove. He was subsequently apprehended for further investigation.

Police transported Nove back to the scene, where both witnesses positively identified him as the man involved in the alleged assault.

Nove was then transported to the TPS for questioning.

According to the police report, officers noticed during their initial interaction with Nove that he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

Meanwhile, police continued searching for the victim and eventually located her at her family residence in Faleniu. She was transported to the TPS for further investigation and a medical examination.

VICTIM'S STATEMENT

In her verbal and written statements to investigators, the victim explained that she and Nove had been in a relationship for almost three years.

She described their relationship as one involving frequent arguments, some of which had escalated into physical altercations. Despite the alleged history of physical abuse, the victim told police that she had been hesitant to pursue charges against Nove because she still cared about him.

According to the victim, the violence on September 14th began earlier in the day at her family's residence in Faleniu.

She alleged that Nove became upset and accused her of being unfaithful, which led to an argument between them.

During the confrontation, Nove allegedly grabbed her by the hair and pulled her backward, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground. The victim further alleged that Nove punched her several times in the head during the altercation.

She informed investigators that the incident occurred while no other family members were present at the residence.

Police noted in their report that the victim resided with her family in Faleniu, while Nove had no permanent address.

The victim further explained that another confrontation occurred later that evening, prompting her to seek assistance from police.

According to her statement, she went to the BNF Store in Iliili to borrow a telephone so she could contact the TPS and report the alleged abuse.

However, while she was attempting to obtain assistance, Nove reportedly approached her and threatened to hurt her again if police officers arrived.

The victim alleged that Nove grabbed her by the neck and forcibly dragged her away from the store entrance until she fell to the ground. She added that Nove returned a second time, grabbed her by her head, punched her, and dragged her toward the parking lot.

The victim's account of the incident was consistent with the statements obtained from the two store employees and the surveillance footage reviewed by investigators, according to the police report.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel were contacted to examine the victim following the alleged assault. According to the report, EMS personnel treated her for a minor scratch to her neck. Police also documented that the victim was four months pregnant.

DEFENDANT'S STATEMENT

At approximately 9:25 p.m., Nove arrived at the TPS, where he was Mirandized. Nove indicated that he understood his rights and agreed to provide a written statement regarding the incident.

During the interview, investigators again noticed the odor of alcohol coming from the defendant.

Nove told police that he and his girlfriend had consumed alcoholic beverages earlier that day. He stated that they had each consumed two cans of a mixed alcohol- beverage.

The defendant claimed that his girlfriend began acting aggressively toward him after they had been drinking, resulting in an argument between the couple. He also stated that the disagreement continued until his girlfriend left and went to the store to use a telephone.

Nove told investigators that he became suspicious because of the amount of time she was spending on the phone. He subsequently went to the store to find out with whom she was speaking and discovered that she had contacted police.

The defendant explained that he got angry upon learning that his girlfriend was speaking to authorities.

He told investigators that he waited outside the store for her to come out. When she exited the establishment, Nove admitted that he struck the victim before immediately leaving the area.

Following the completion of the investigation, Nove was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 38-year-old citizen of Samoa.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on Sept. 16, 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.]