Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 55-year old man is facing sexual charges in connection to an 18-year-old high school student.

The incident in this matter allegedly occurred last week. It came to light when a woman filed a criminal complaint with police regarding her 18-year-old daughter missing school.

Pasene Kitiona is facing charges of rape; sexual abuse first degree, endangering the welfare of a child, false imprisonment, third-degree assault and two counts of sodomy.

It’s alleged the victim was seen entering a black vehicle, leaving the school grounds on the day in question, Feb 22, 2023.

Police responded to the call and headed to Vaitogi where the defendant used to reside.

It’s alleged police went towards the Turtle & Shark area, and came to a secluded wooden shack.

“As they parked outside of the shack, they saw movements within the shack. As the police officers approached the shack, the suspect immediately came rushing out of the shack, shirtless with a sarong around waistline.”

Police went inside the shack and found the victim half naked.

“Police officers immediately detained the suspect and escorted [him] into the police unit; the victim and her mother were escorted and transported to the Tafuna Police Substation for further processing.

“According to the victim, she verbally stated that she saw the suspect dropping his niece at school and decided to approach the suspect, asking for transportation to anywhere but the school.”

They left the school compound and they went past the suspect’s residence in Vaitogi and the victim asked where he is taking her.

“The suspect stated that there are people at his house, preferable somewhere else. The victim noticed that they drove passed [sic] the Turtle and Shark Legend area, and started to panic. She was unfamiliar with the area, let alone, the shack that the suspect pulled in was very secluded. There were no other houses in the proximity of the shack.”

The government’s case claims the suspect asked to have sexual intercourse but the victim refused saying she was on her menstrual period.

“The suspect then told the Victim that it's a waste of time that he's been doing her favors and she can't even meet his sexual needs.

“The suspect constantly asked her to have sex, however, [sic] she eventually said yes due to being afraid of not knowing what the suspect is [sic] capable of, nor having any knowledge of the area if anything happens to her.”

According to the suspect's verbal statement to the police, he met the victim a month ago and that he was aware she was a minor.

He confirmed that the victim approached him on the day in question and asked that he take her away from school.

“The suspect drove his car to his farm in Vaitogi heading towards Turtle and Shark Resort.

While at his shack, the victim was changing her clothes and he became aroused.

Suspect then asked the victim if they could have sexual intercourse and the victim told him that she's on her menstrual period, but he eventually had sex with her.

Bail for the defendant is set at $30,000. Pasene made his initial appearance in the District Court yesterday.