Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 3, 2024, a woman heading to work on a bus called police saying she had witnessed an assault on a minor by an unknown male. The witness contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) after getting off the bus to assist the minor.

The defendant was later apprehended and charged with the following:

Count 1: Endangering the Welfare of a Child — a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree — a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 3: Public Peace Disturbance — a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

According to the affidavit, at approximately 7:39 a.m, a female called the FPS, requesting police assistance regarding an unknown male, who was later identified.

(Samoa News has chosen not to identify the unknown male due to a minor being involved in the alleged incident.)

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, they observed a minor female wearing a school uniform who was sitting down and crying. Another female (later identified as the witness) was observed trying to calm the minor.

Police officers approached the witness where she briefed the officers regarding the incident. The victim and witness were later placed inside the police unit to be transported at the FPS for further questioning.

The defendant was also apprehended and was brought in to the FPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the station, one of the officers interviewed the witness. According to the witness, she was on a bus heading to work when she was shocked to see the defendant assaulting the victim. The witness stated that the defendant punched the victim in the face and kicked her thighs. She also saw the defendant punch the victim’s chest, the side of her stomach and when she fell, the defendant kicked her again while the victim was crying. The witness said she then stopped the bus that she was on and got off and ran to assist the victim.

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were contacted and later arrived to check on the victim in time for the victim’s guardian/ sponsor to show up. The victim refused to go into the hospital for further examination.

Police officers interviewed the victim along with her legal guardian. According to the victim, she was waiting for a bus to go to school at Samoana High School. The victim said that she was in front of the Mormon Church in Pago Pago when the defendant walked towards her giving her a high five in which she high five him back. But, the defendant kept coming closer to her and that’s when she stood up because she was scared. The defendant then punched her multiple times (5 times), including in her face, and she stated that she fell down to the ground where he kicked her on her thighs.

The defendant was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

(The affidavit does not say if the defendant was interviewed or Mirandized before being booked and confined at TCF.)

The defendant is identified as 36 year-old U.S National.