Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A father has been charged by the police over the alleged beating of his 10-year-old son.

The defendant made his initial appearance in District Court last month and is charged with abuse of a child and 2nd degree assault.

His bail is set at $10,000. To protect the identity of the victim Samoa News has opted not to publicize the name of the father.

THE ALLEGATION

The incident came to light when this matter was reported to the police due to the severity of the injuries. It’s alleged the incident occurred last month, when the 10-year-old boy went to the store to buy groceries and dropped/ lost the change on his way home.

Upon arrival at the house, the loss of change and wrong items from the store upset the defendant, who then assaulted his son.

According to the government’s case the child suffered multiple injuries on his back, left upper-arm, and his right thigh; such as skin bruises and markings of the belt. Photos were taken by officers as evidence in the case.

The defendant was taken in to the police station for questioning. He told police that it all started when his son was asking for his phone but he told him to go to the store first.

A few minutes later, the victim went to the store and came back with the wrong groceries and incorrect change and this upset him and that’s when started beating him up with his belt. “He wanted to teach him a lesson for not listening to what he said.”

The defendant also stated that it was never his intention to beat him up so badly but he was upset and he beat him (his son) to teach him a lesson for disobedience.

AMATAGA IESE

A man who has a pending criminal case in District Court was arrested by police last month for allegedly assaulting another man.

When questioned by police, the defendant, Amataga Iese said that the reason he did these things was because he was mad at his aunt’s husband for accusing him of burglarizing their home and taking the items to buy drugs.

Iese made his initial appearance in court last month and he’s faced with 2nd- degree assault, attempted property damage and public peace disturbance (PPD).

Bail is set at $10,000.

THE ALLEGATION

The government stated on the early morning of Sept. 16th, 2022, a woman called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) regarding a male individual who was throwing a beer bottle on the road and was now shouting profanities. He was also threatening her and her boyfriend and challenging them to a fight. The male was later identified as Iese, the defendant in this matter.

Several police officers responded to the call but the defendant was nowhere to be found.

Officers returned to the area where the alleged incident occurred and observed a man standing in front of a nearby bus stop with injuries on his face — he told police he was assaulted by Iese. Police saw footage from a nearby store that confirmed accounts of the incident.

The defendant was later apprehended and he told police he was overly intoxicated and was out of control.

IAFETA LAGOLAGO

A young man from Malaeimi with a long criminal history entered into a plea bargain with the government during court proceedings last week.

Iafeta Lagolago, who is on probation, was initially charged with 4 misdemeanors including two counts of third degree assault, resisting arrest, and public peace disturbance (PPD).

However, under a plea agreement with the government, Lagolago pled guilty to PPD and the remaining charges were dismissed.

With his guilty plea, Lagolago admits that on Aug. 19, 2021 in Malaeimi, he disturbed the public peace by being involved in a fight, during which he became loud and created fear in others.

The court sentenced Lagolago to 6 months probation.

According to court records, Lagolago has been detained since his arrest and has already served 182 days in prison.

The court then ordered that Lagolago be released from the TCF but he will remain there, pending a hearing to revoke his probation in the High Court next week.

During court proceedings, Lagolago apologized for what he did, saying he is remorseful and that he has learned his lesson. He also apologized to his mother and family, especially those who were affected by his actions.

The government's case states that on the day of the incident, police responded to a call from someone in the Malaeimi area, requesting police assistance to a disturbance.

When the cops arrived, an unknown male who was later identified as Lagolago, yelled profanities at the police and asked them to leave the area.

In 2019, the High Court placed Lagolago on probation for five years, after he was convicted of felony driving and resisting arrest. As a condition of his probation, he was ordered to serve 20 months at the TCF and remain a law-abiding citizen.

SAMUELU TASELE

A man who got into an altercation with another man when dropping his children off at Matafao Elementary School two weeks ago has been charged with disturbing the peace (PPD).

Samuelu Tasele made his initial appearance in District Court where he entered a not guilty plea to one count of public peace disturbance (PPD).

After reviewing the police report, the court ordered Tasele to be released on his own recognizance, under certain conditions that include no contact with the alleged victim.

According to the government, the defendant and the victim got into a disagreement that had to do with parking in the school compound.

The verbal argument ended when Tasele allegedly punched the victim in the face, and police were contacted for assistance. Witnesses told police that the defendant also made threatening remarks to the victim and other bystanders that he will “finish” the victim or anybody if they report the matter to police.

Tasele was arrested by police at his residence in Malaeimi and was transported to the TPS for questioning.

He allegedly told police during questioning that he assaulted the victim because he was angry.

His next court appearance is set for next month.