Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 20, 2025, a victim of alleged domestic dispute called the local authorities seeking assistance regarding her husband who she claims assaulted her in the presence of her minor children.

The suspect fled the scene but was turned in by his mother and he was arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), an enhanced class D felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 3: Endangering the Welfare of a Child (DV) (enhanced), a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

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

According to the court affidavit, on Apr. 20th, at about 10:31 p.m., a woman (later identified as the victim) called 911 and requested police assistance.

The victim alleged that her husband (later identified as the suspect) was causing a disturbance in their home.

At about 10:44 p.m., authorities answered the call and upon arrival at the scene, they met up with a woman who was later identified as the reporter/ victim. The victim verbally briefed the officers and stated that her husband (suspect) fled the scene before the police officers arrived.

The victim informed the officers that the suspect had been yelling profanities in Samoan at her and their children throughout the whole week and the whole day.

In addition, later in the evening, the suspect was sleeping with their third child who is 4 years-old, while she was cuddling with their 2-year-old baby on a separate bed, when all of a sudden the suspect said his back was hurting and started to yell out profanities.

He subsequently stood up and went to their bed where she was with their 2-year-old and started to complain about his back hurting and yelled profanities again.

The suspect then kicked out his leg which struck their 2-year-old, waking her up. He kicked again this time striking her. She called out to her ten-year-old daughter to grab her 2-year-old sister, which she did — carrying her sister off of the bed.

The wife then stood up and fought with the suspect. She alleged he tried to choke her but he couldn’t because she scratched his face. The suspect yelled that he is not scared of anyone, multiple times; and, he grabbed her by the neck and she in turn scratched his ears.

The suspect continued to yell and complained that she had ruined his face. The victim stated that she told the suspect to leave but he refused — that’s when she called 911 for assistance, and the suspect fled the scene.

The incident occurred at the victim’s house inside their bedroom in the presence of their children who are 10, 6, 4 and 2 years old. The victim also requested for the suspect not to be near her and their children for their safety.

On Apr. 21st, at about 12:18 a.m., the suspect’s mother called the Leone Police Substation (LPS) to inform the officers that her son (suspect) was at their residence. At about 12:20 a.m., authorities proceeded to the suspect’s mother’s residence and upon arrival he was immediately apprehended and placed inside the police unit and was later transported to the LPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the LPS, he was escorted inside where he was Mirandized and he refused to make a statement.

The defendant was booked and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined awaiting the next available sitting of the District Court.

The suspect is identified as a 36-year-old U.S National.