Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 15, 2024, a female individual called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report that a male individual allegedly assaulted her husband.

Amani Sinoti fled the scene but was later charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Second Degree, a class felony punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for six months, a fine of $500, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $50,000.

According to the court affidavit, the alleged assault incident was reported by the victim’s wife and that the suspect was Amani Sinoti. The reporter stated that Sinoti used an empty beer bottle causing a laceration on the victim’s left cheek and right forearm.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, they made initial contact with the reporter.

The reporter explained that on their way home from a party that they attended, they made contact with three individuals walking along the back of the road leading to their house. One of the three individuals was Amani Sinoti.

She stated that she saw the defendant throw a beer bottle on the road going to their house, causing her husband to confront the suspect, asking him why he threw the beer bottle when there’s a trash bin to throw his trash in. The reporter said that the suspect did not respond or answer when her husband confronted him. However, when she turned away and began making her way home the suspect attacked her husband.

According to the victim, he walked over to confront the suspect as to why he threw the beer bottle onto the road and the suspect did not respond but kept walking. He then turned to make his way home with his wife but was shocked when the suspect came up to him and struck him on the left cheek using an empty beer bottle, resulting in a deep laceration.

Moreover, as he tried to fight back, the suspect used the broken pieces of the beer bottle and slashed his right forearm leaving a deep gash. He explained that his wife turned back when she heard the altercation between him and the suspect, and she ran over and called for help from her family. As the family ran over to help, the suspect fled the scene and was nowhere to be seen.

The victim also stated that this is not the first time that the defendant assaulted someone using a beer bottle. He alleged that the suspect was a troubled kid who always caused trouble in their village and would assault people walking on the road.

The victim was admitted to the LBJ Hospital to undergo treatment where he received stitches for the laceration on his left cheek that was caused by the beer bottle. The victim was later released.

The affidavit does not state when or whether the suspect was apprehended and arrested.

The defendant is identified as 21-year-old U.S National.