Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 13, 2024, Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a female reporting her uncle had allegedly assaulted her.

The defendant was arrested and later charged with the following:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance — a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree — a class A misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $500.

According to the affidavit, at about 8:47 p.m. Teuila Taimovai (later identified as the victim) contacted the TPS to report her uncle Christopher Taimovai (defendant) for allegedly assaulting her twice, while trying to remove them from their home in Pavaiai.

When police arrived at the scene they met up with Ms. Taimovai (victim) who briefed them on what had happened. The defendant was apprehended at the scene and brought to the TPS to be processed. The victim was also told to come into the TPS to be interviewed.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the police interviewed the victim.

According to Ms. Taimovai, the first incident occurred in the morning in which she was allegedly assaulted by her uncle Christopher Taimovai. Moreover, she explained “that the second incident occurred when her uncle came back home and started yelling at them for removing the extension cord that gave him electricity at his house.”

She stated that, “her uncle yelled and asked repeatedly who did it.”

“And then he threatened to burn down her grandmother’s home and shoot everyone there with a gun.”

On January 14, 2024 at about 12:14 a.m. the defendant was Mirandized to which he said he understood and agreed to make a statement and answer questions.

According to the defendant, “ the allegations against him were false and his niece Teuila is lying.” He only confessed to “kicking his niece from an incident that happened in the morning but did not harm her.”

He also admitted to yelling at his niece for removing the extension cord that gives electricity to his home but did not do anything to harm anyone.

The defendant was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TFC) to be confined.

The victim is identified as a U.S National whereas the defendant is identified as a citizen of Tonga.

WIFE  CLAIMS HUSBAND THREATENED HER WITH BAT AND KNIFE

On January 13, 2024, at about 7:49am, a woman contacted the TPS, afraid for her grandkids and her safety in regards to her 59-year-old husband’s alleged threats to hit her with a bat and kitchen knife.

The defendant was charged with the following:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance — a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree — a class C misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both.

Bail for the defendant was set at $500.

When police officers arrived at the scene they spoke with the victim. In her verbal statement, she explained that “she was so scared of her husband’s actions threatening her with a knife multiple times.” The victim shared that her husband has gotten to the point where he threatens her in the presence of her grandchildren.

She further stated that her husband yells profanities at her almost every morning for no apparent reason.

Because she was afraid for the safety of her grandchildren, she contacted the TPS in hopes that assistance would be provided before the threats become worse.

The defendant was apprehended and transported to the TPS for further investigation. Upon arrival at the TPS, the suspect was Mirandized and provided a verbal statement.

As stated in the affidavit, the suspect explained, “he is always walking around the inside of their house with a machete, kitchen knives, and a bat.”

The defendant then stated that “there was an altercation between him and his wife but he never threatened her.”

He further explained that he and his wife “argue a lot due to personal reasons.”

The defendant was booked and confined at the TCF to await the next available sitting of the District Court.