Man arrested for allegedly assaulting a minor
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man was arrested for allegedly assaulting a minor with a metal pipe, after the minor’s mother reported the incident.
The man was charged with the following:
Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance — a class B misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for six (6) months, a fine of $500, or both;
Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree — a class A misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1000, or both; and,
Count 3: Endangering the Welfare of a Child - a class A misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1000, or both.
Bail was set at $1000.
On December 18, 2023, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) was contacted by a mother who claimed that her son was assaulted near Lefonuea Store in Nu'uuli by a man.
According to the affidavit, an officer who lived in the Nuuuli- Tago area was able to identify the man, who was standing near one of the stores in the area. The defendant was apprehended and escorted to the police vehicle. Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath when they arrested him.
(Samoa News withheld the names of those involved in the case to protect the identity of the minor.)
While receiving treatment for his injuries by EMS, officers interviewed the victim in the presence of his mother. According to the victim, “he and his brother were hanging out at the water stream across from Lefonuea Store watching a fire that was lit by someone.”
When suddenly the defendant approached them and asked if he (victim) had lit the fire. The victim responded “no” but the defendant kept accusing the victim of starting the fire. After several attempts to explain that it wasn’t him, the victim was then alegedly hit by the defendant with a metal object that he had in his hand.
The victim further explained that “the first strike hit his left arm and the second hit his back.”
After allegedly hitting him, the man swore at him and chased him home. It was then that the victim and his brother ran towards their home.
After sharing the details of the incident with his mother, she immediately contacted the TPS for assistance. The victim said that he was not able to provide a written statement for the officers because he could not move his left arm due to the pain.
The victim received treatment from the EMS for a left swollen bicep (arm) and a minor scratch on his back. The mother of the victim indicated that her son did not need further medical treatment.
The defendant was Mirandized, and refused to make a statement or answer questions regarding the incident.
Officers were not able to find the metal object used to allegedly assault the victim.
The defendant was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF).