Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Akeli Akeli Jr. was scheduled for an initial appearance last Friday morning in District Court.

According to the criminal complaint, Akeli Jr. is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts of second degree assault. The charges stem from an incident last year, when the mother of two boys contacted police, claiming that her sons were assaulted by Akeli Jr.

The boys told police that they were running through a fence opening when they were allegedly stopped by Akeli Jr. who, armed with a wooden stick, proceeded to hit them.

The boys claim that after moments of pleading, Akeli let them go; however, one boy sustained bruising on the back part of his leg.

His brother, who ended up with a bruised elbow, contends that Akeli Jr. tried to hit him in the head so he put his arm up to cover his face and that's when he was struck in the elbow.

During Friday's court proceedings, District Court Judge Fiti Sunia pointed out that the defendant's first name does not appear on either the arrest warrant or the affidavit. The criminal complaint also identifies the defendant as Akeli Akeli Jr.

The defendant was in court, his hands shackled.

When Sunia asked for his first name, the man said, "Emanuel".

"So who is Akeli Akeli Jr.?" Sunia continued.

According to the defendant, Akeli is his middle name.

"I don't understand why he signed the warrant," Sunia said, before releasing the defendant on his own recognizance.

Prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Bianca Llerisson said the government anticipates filing amended paperwork for the case.

"You do what you got to do," Sunia said.