Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 28, 2024, a female individual called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS), to report an alleged assault on her female cousin by the cousin’s boyfriend.

The suspect was apprehended and charged as follows:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree ( As a C. Misd.) (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $3,000.

According to the affidavit, on September 28th, at about 10:08 a.m., a female individual contacted the TPS regarding her cousin (victim) who was assaulted by her boyfriend Penehuro Siaki at their residence.

At around 10:15 a.m., police officers arrived at the scene, and they were directed by a male individual towards the location of the reported incident. When officers approached the victim to gather information, they observed minor scratches on the victim’s upper chest area.

The victim then indicated the location of the suspect where the suspect was apprehended. The victim also informed the officers that they have a 3-month old baby and her boyfriend has been drinking a lot lately. The victim also refused to be treated by the EMS paramedics.

The officers interviewed the reporter to which she verbally stated that she didn’t know what happened. She claimed that she called the police for assistance on behalf of her cousin.

It was later revealed that the suspect had been drinking alcohol earlier that morning at a friend’s house. The victim then went to the friend’s house to meet the suspect and they returned together to their residence on a aiga bus.

Upon arrival at their residence that morning, the victim was preparing breakfast but the suspect was not hungry. This led to an argument and the suspect assaulted her by grabbing her shirt collar, causing minor scratches on her upper chest, and then he pushed her onto the bed.

At about 11:50 a.m., the suspect was Mirandized and agreed to answer questions pertaining to the matter.

The suspect verbally stated that he was arguing with his girlfriend because she interrupted him while he was drinking with his friends. Later, he confessed to what happened because he didn’t want to go to jail again. He stated he just got bailed out a few months ago.

Following the suspect’s statement, he was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility until the next available sitting of the District Court.

The suspect is identified as a 26-year-old citizen of Samoa.