Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 7, 2024, a female individual contacted a police officer to report an alleged assault on her brother.

The defendant attempted to flee the scene but was eventually captured where he was arrested 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 (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 $20,000.

According to the affidavit, a female individual contacted a police officer and reported that PJ Crichton (suspect) allegedly assaulted her 18-year-old brother (later identified as the victim) with a food plate then started screaming and cursing out of control at their home.

When the officers arrived at the scene they spoke with the reporter (victim’s sister), and while speaking with the reporter the officers could hear the suspect shouting out profanities toward the victim and the family. They also observed the suspect still arguing with the victim and his sister and continued to curse loudly and alarming the neighbors who then approached the victim’s and his sister’s residence.

As soon as the officers exited the police unit, the suspect attempted to flee the scene and eluded the officers. However, one of the officers was able to grab and hold the suspect. The suspect continued to resist arrest and started to scream aggressively and cursed in a threatening tone at the officers.

The suspect was eventually placed inside the police unit and transported to the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) for further investigation. The affidavit stated that while transporting the suspect, he made several threats at the officers.

Upon arrival at the FPS, the suspect continued to make verbal threats and showed hostile behavior at the officers. Therefore, the officers decided to transport the suspect to the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) due to the fact that he was out of control.

While the suspect was being transported to the TCF, he continued to threaten the officers, and started trying to hit his head against one of the unit’s windows while crying, and attempting to escape the police unit.

According to the victim's verbal statement, the suspect entered the house intoxicated and walked towards the kitchen, demanding a meal.

The victim stated that he prepared the suspect’s food and during that time the suspect was cursing at him. Even after giving the suspect his food, the suspect still cursed at him for apparently no reason.

He also said that for no reason, after eating together at the table the suspect hit his (victim’s) head with the food plate. Afterwards the suspect started punching him in the face several times causing the victim to become unconscious for a few seconds.

When he came to, the victim stated, he opened his eyes and saw the reporter's nephew holding the suspect back.

The suspect then walked past the victim’s sister’s room continuing to cuss and act violently, while five children from the ages of 6- 10 years old were inside the room, traumatized by the violence that was occurring.

The reporter and owner of the house (victim’s sister) also notified the officers that she does not want the suspect to return to her house anymore due to the fact that she does not want the same thing to happen again. Particularly, she was concerned for her 5 children.

It was also noted that the victim’s physical injuries include a bump on his head and scratches on the right side of his neck close to his ears. The officers asked the victim if he needed medical assistance but he refused.

The defendant is identified as a 21-year-old citizen of Samoa.