Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 11, 2026, a man was arrested and later taken into custody following an alleged domestic violence incident involving his wife at their residence in Pago Pago.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment not more than a 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 not more than $300, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

(Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identity of the minor involved in this case.)

According to the affidavit, filed in District Court on Jan. 13th, at approximately 8:27 p.m., officers responded to a private peace disturbance call regarding a domestic dispute. Upon arrival at the residence, officers made contact with a 15-year-old female who stated that her parents were inside a bedroom of the home.

Officers attempted to make contact by opening the bedroom door. However, police reported that the male subject immediately closed the door in their presence. Officers reopened the door and observed the man standing inside the room holding what was later identified as a metal camera/ phone stand in his right hand.

The female victim was seen sitting on the bed crying and shielding herself with several pillows.

Due to the circumstances, officers detained the male subject and placed him into a police vehicle. Police then conducted an interview with the juvenile, who provided a voluntary statement.

She reported that she heard her father yelling at her mother and attempted to open the bedroom door to intervene. Upon doing so, she allegedly observed her father strike her mother with the metal stand.

The couple was transported to the Fagatogo Police Station for further investigation.

Police also obtained a voluntary statement from a neighbor who stated that she heard the female victim screaming for help from inside the residence. The neighbor further reported that the juvenile ran toward her requesting that the police be contacted. The neighbor also advised officers that similar incidents had occurred previously between the couple.

During the investigation, the female victim provided a written statement to police describing the events leading up to the altercation.

FThe argument allegedly escalated into physical violence.

The victim stated that her husband kicked her twice, punched her in the head, and struck her with the metal camera/ phone stand. She further told police that she feared for her safety and did not want her husband near her or their children, stating she was afraid he might return home and start another fight.

Police reported that the male subject was later advised of his constitutional rights at the station and agreed to provide a statement.

In his statement, he allegedly admitted that he believed his wife was attempting to post something on Facebook to damage his image. He further stated that in a fit of rage, he kicked his wife twice and struck her with the metal stand.

Following the interview, the male subject was transported by police to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he was booked and held pending further court proceedings.

It was noted that the juvenile was not physically harmed during the incident.

The defendant is identified as a 38-year-old U.S National.

[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. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court. ra]