Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 2, 2026, a victim of an alleged sexual assault contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported a male individual who had sexually assaulted her at the Bowling Alley parking lot in Tafuna. 

The suspect was arrested and later charged with:

Count 1: Sexual Assault in the First Degree, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine;
Count 3: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both; and,
Count 3: Underage Consumption of Alcoholic Beverage, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.

According to the court affidavit, the victim called the TPS and reported that the suspect, later identified as Miracle Alailima, had sexually assaulted her in the Bowling Alley parking lot. 

The victim stated that the suspect grabbed her chest area, pushed her against her vehicle and threatened to rape her.

Authorities were dispatched to the call and met with the victim in the McDonald’s parking lot entrance. The victim appeared visibly shaken and briefed the authorities regarding the incident.

The responding officers asked the victim if the suspect was still in the area and she pointed towards the drive-thru area on the opposite side of the parking lot. The victim identified the suspect as a male wearing a blue shirt.

The officers then proceeded to locate the suspect. Bystanders also pointed towards the suspect and his group of friends. 

As the officers approached the suspect, the victim and her friends also walked towards the group. The victim was hysterically upset and yelled while pointing out the suspect. The victim challenged the suspect to a fight and asked him why he was quiet all of a sudden.

The officers apprehended the suspect and informed him that he was to be escorted to the TPS for further questioning. Meanwhile, the other officers proceeded to calm the victim and asked her to accompany them to the station for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the officers interviewed the victim. 

According to the victim’s written statement, she was walking to her vehicle with her friends after leaving the bar, when a group of men walked past them and shouted derogatory comments at her and her friends. The victim explained that, in response, she and her friends also retaliated by calling the men names.

The victim continued that a few seconds later, the suspect approached her vehicle as she was trying to get inside. The suspect allegedly attempted to flirt with her and she told him to get away from her. However, the suspect then tried to force himself on her while she continued to push him away.

She claimed the suspect allegedly grabbed her inappropriately and told her that he was going to rape her. The victim said that she then punched the suspect and hit him with her bag. In response, the suspect grabbed her neck and continued to threaten her with his comments. The victim also mentioned that the suspect kept calling her “blood” and referring to her as a gang member even though she is not gang affiliated. 

The victim stated that when she was finally able to get into her car, she called the police for help.

The authorities were also able to interview two witnesses who were present during the incident. 

According to witness #1, their group of friends stopped to take pictures while on the way to their vehicles, and a group of youths walked past them and began to tease and insult them. When asked what the problem was, the youths began cussing and hurling slurs. WItness #1 claimed that he told them to leave but they raised their fists and attempted to instigate a fight.

Witness #1 continued that after he got inside the car, the suspect allegedly touched the victim inappropriately and threatened to rape her. He also claimed that he heard the victim screaming, and he exited the car and chased the suspect away. 

However, the suspect continued to threaten them and tried to fight, claiming the area was his territory. The witness stated that he then forced the victim into the car and the suspect punched the car window as they drove away. They immediately called the authorities for assistance.

Witness #2 was also interviewed and she stated that she was inside the car with witness #1 when she heard the victim yelling and cussing at the suspect. When she looked out, she saw the suspect grab the victim by the neck. She then exited the vehicle and rushed to push the suspect away from the victim. 

She alleged the suspect then tried to fight them while they continued to tell the suspect to leave them alone. However, the suspect refused to comply and kept advancing. At this time, they got into the victim’s car from the driver’s side in an attempt to get away. The suspect then punched the car window but fortunately they were able to escape. 

At that time, they drove straight to the McDonald’s parking lot and contacted the police. Witness #2 also noted that before they drove away, she heard the victim screaming that the suspect had grabbed her inappropriately, and also threatened to rape her.

The affidavit does not state whether the suspect was taken into custody on the day of the incident and does not provide further information regarding the suspect.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 21, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[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.