Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 19, 2025, a victim of a domestic dispute called the Leone Police Substation (LPS) and reported that her boyfriend allegedly assaulted her after she refused to give up her kids’ food.

The suspect fled the scene but was later arrested and charged with:

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

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of up to $300, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, on Oct. 19th, around 7:15 a.m., a woman (later identified as the reporter/ victim) called the police station and reported that her boyfriend allegedly assaulted her.

Police were dispatched to the call, and upon arrival at the scene, they met a woman (the victim) outside her home in Taputimu. One of the responding officers interviewed the victim while the other officers assisted the victim’s siblings in searching for the suspect’s whereabouts.

According to the victim, she was preparing her children’s food and drinks for church as usual, when suddenly her boyfriend woke up and asked her for food. She told the suspect that she had saved the food for the children, which made him mad.

As a result, the suspect reached for her baby’s diaper bag and threw it outside the house — spare clothes were scattered outside, and milk was spilled everywhere.

The suspect then walked towards her and threw a punch, but missed; however, he threw a second punch, which hit her mouth. She fought back and scratched his neck, but he rapidly turned, causing her to scratch his back.

Her siblings intervened and tried to stop them because her kids were scared and crying. At that time, she called the LPS for help.

During the victim’s interview, officers also observed that the victim’s lower lip was injured.

Later, a witness approached the officers and reported that when they were preparing for church, he had heard the victim and suspect arguing in the back of the kitchen and then in the living room. That was when the suspect grabbed the diaper bag and threw it across the living room. After throwing the bag, the suspect punched the victim in the face.

Two more witnesses came forward and stated they were in the front getting the kids ready for church, and heard the victim and the suspect arguing in the living room and later saw the suspect punch the victim.

After interviewing the victim and witnesses, the officers canvassed the scene, trying to locate the suspect, but he was nowhere to be found. The victim was taken to the police station and later provided a written statement.

The victim was also asked if she needed medical assistance, but she refused.

Authorities took photos of the victim’s injuries as evidence.

The victim was transported back to her residence, and while enroute, her brother called and informed her that the suspect had returned to their house.

Upon arrival at the victim’s residence, the officers requested permission to enter the house, which was granted. When the officers entered the house, they observed the suspect and immediately apprehended him, transporting him to the LPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the station, the suspect was Mirandized, to which he understood but refused to provide a statement.

He was later booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 42-year-old citizen of Samoa.