Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 28, 2025, a mother contacted the Leone Police Substation (LPS) regarding her son, who allegedly assaulted her after she refused to give him her car keys.

The suspect was later arrested after resisting arrest and was charged with:

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

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $2,0000.

According to the court affidavit, on July 28th, at around 2:00 p.m, a mother (later identified as the victim) called the LPS and reported that her son (later identified as the suspect) allegedly assaulted her and caused a disturbance in their home.

Two police units were dispatched to the call and upon arrival, they met up with a woman (victim/ reporter) who verbally stated that her son, Advent Lemalu had assaulted her.

She explained to the officers that the assault happened after she refused to give Advent the car keys. She also stated that this is not the first time this has happened.

The victim informed the officers that “she wanted her son confined so she and her family can have peace in their family especially because she’s taking care of her elderly father who is bedridden.”

The victim directed the officers to where the suspect was located while other officers met up with an elderly woman (victim’s mother). The victim’s mother confirmed what her grandson had done and why.

She said that Advent had grabbed his mother by the neck and pushed her on the table.

Advent’s mother also mentioned that she’s worried that if nothing is done to her grandson, her husband’s condition will worsen.

Police proceeded to the suspect’s room and informed him that he would be taken to the police station. However, the suspect just laid flat on his stomach and refused to get up from his bed. One of the officers spoke to the suspect in a calming manner for him to get up from his bed several times but the suspect refused to cooperate.

The officers then cuffed him and used necessary force to subdue the suspect when he refused to comply. The suspect was later placed in the police unit and transported to the LPS for further investigation.

After apprehending the suspect, the victim was informed to proceed to the LPS for further questioning to which she complied.

Upon arrival at the station the suspect was escorted inside the station to be processed.

The victim arrived later and was interviewed thoroughly. According to the victim, she stated that around morning time at the time of the incident, the suspect assaulted her nephew but her nephew refused to report the incident. However, during the afternoon, the suspect again assaulted her nephew and also demanded that give him her car keys. She refused because he had previously damaged her car several times.

At that point, Advent grabbed her neck and pushed her while his hands were still on her neck. She fell down on the top of the table and yelled out to her nephews to help her and they jumped in to stop the suspect from assaulting her.

She then called the police and requested assistance. The victim also informed the authorities that this has been an ongoing issue. She explained that her son would always assault her if she refuses to do what he wants. The victim also noted that there was a pipe that her son uses to smoke meth that is inside his room.

No injuries were observed on the victim.

After the victim’s interview, the officers proceeded back to the scene and discovered a glass pipe inside Advent’s bedroom — likely used to smoke meth — several lighters, empty straws and a baggie.

At about 3:26 p.m., the Vice & Narcotic Unit was contacted regarding the paraphernalia that was recovered at the scene. The paraphernalia was later transferred to the VNU.

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

The defendant is identified as a 25-year-old U.S National.