Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 9, 2024, a woman called the Tafuna Police Substation to report that her husband was allegedly causing a disturbance and had attempted to assault her.

The suspect was later apprehended and 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; 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 $1,000.

According to the affidavit, on October 9th, at approximately 6:33 p.m., a female individual contacted the TPS to report her husband who allegedly attempted to assault her and damaged their property at their home.

Officers were dispatched and upon arrival, they observed a male individual who was cooking outside pointing towards their house. One of the officers approached the house from behind and the other from the front.

The officers who came through the front of the house initially met with a male individual later identified as Noa Fifita (suspect). He barged outside with two bags of clothes. The officer greeted the suspect and inquired to where he was rushing. The suspect told the officer that he was leaving because his wife was too lazy. He stated that he had just got off work and she did not fix dinner for him.

According to Fifita, he was tired of his wife’s lies and laziness. He further stated that he knows that his wife is having an affair and lying about it.

While interviewing the suspect, his mother in-law approached the officer and asked that the suspect be removed immediately. The mother in-law stated that the suspect caused too much trouble in their home.

The officers separated Fifita from his wife and mother in-law.

Officers interviewed the suspect’s mother-in-law and inquired about the reporter’s/ victim’s whereabouts. The mother-in-law pointed across the street from their home where the officers saw the victim walking.

According to the mother-in-law, this is not the first time that the suspect has caused problems in their home. She stated that the suspect would come home from work and make a lot of noises and would shout profanities at her and her daughter.

She said that they didn’t know why he comes home angry every day and would damage things in their home and shout profanities.

The mother claimed that there was an altercation between the suspect and the victim that lasted until early morning. Moreover, the mother explained that it has been going on for too long and that she is tired of his behavior.

She then alleged that she knows that Fifita is on drugs and that is why he acts the way he does.

The officers also interviewed the victim at the scene where she said that everyday her husband would come home from work and would always argue with her. The arguments would either be because there’s no food or she’s having an affair. He would come home and start shouting and yelling profanities at her family and her mother.

She explained that she would be scared and try to escape from the house to prevent herself from getting hurt. She continued that as for tonight’s incident, he got home from work and suddenly he got angry for no reason.

Furthermore, he started yelling profanities at her and began to throw things around their bedroom. She got scared and told him to stop. However, he wouldn’t stop and he continued throwing stuff around inside their bedroom. He then left the room and he continued throwing things around the house.

At this point, her mother intervened and yelled at him to stop but he shouted profanities in Samoan at her mother and he got more angry and opened a paint canister and splattered it all over the floor.

The victim said she was too afraid to say anything back at him because he attempted to slap her. She then ran off across the street to call the police for help.

While interviewing the victim and her mother, Fifita heard their statements and he was furious. He shouted out loud telling them to “stop lying or he will come and slap their faces.”

After interviewing the victim and her mother, Fifita was handcuffed and placed inside the police unit to be transported to the TPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the suspect was Mirandized and he agreed to make a statement.

The suspect claimed that he is the only source of income in his family. However, his wife and mother-in-law don’t appreciate him. He would come home from work and there was no food prepared for his arrival. Also, when he asks his wife to do something for him, she would disrespect him and does not do what he asks.

He stated it gets him angry because he is tired from work and would like to come home and rest. However, he comes home everyday to chaos and arguments between him and his wife. Moreover, every time he has differences with his wife, his mother-in-law is always involved and would team up with her daughter.

The defendant is identified as a 52-year-old citizen of Tonga.