Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 23, 2026, a man contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report that his stepson allegedly assaulted his grandmother. 

The suspect, Justin Lelenoa was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine;
Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not more than a year, or both; and,
Count 3: Abuse of an Elderly Person (DV), a class C felony punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine not to exceed $5,000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, Lelenoa allegedly punched his grandmother four times in the face after becoming upset during a conversation about food.

The incident was reported to the TPS at approximately 10:20 p.m. by the defendant's stepfather, who requested police assistance after the elderly woman was allegedly assaulted inside their home.

The victim sustained a visible bump on the left side of her head and complained of pain following the incident. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were called to the residence to provide medical assistance.

Lelenoa was not at the residence when officers initially responded. 

He was located and apprehended the following day after the Department of Social Services contacted police with information about his whereabouts.

During questioning, Lelenoa reportedly admitted punching his grandmother four times, although he provided a different explanation for what caused the confrontation.

Disagreement Over Food Leads to Alleged Assault

According to the police report, responding officers arrived at the family residence in Mapusaga shortly after receiving the complaint. Upon arrival, officers met with the victim, who explained what had occurred earlier that evening.

Before obtaining her statement, officers contacted the TPS to request medical assistance because of her injuries.

During the interview, the grandmother explained that Lelenoa had returned home and told her that he was hungry. She informed him that chicken was available on the table and that he could eat it.

However, according to her statement, Lelenoa did not want chicken and instead requested mackerel. The grandmother told him that there was no mackerel available in the house.

She claimed that Lelenoa suddenly became angry and, without warning, punched her four times on the left side of her face. The victim stated that she was in pain following the alleged assault and began crying loudly.

Her cries reportedly woke her son-in-law, who was sleeping at the residence. She told him that Lelenoa had struck her, prompting him to contact the TPS for assistance.

According to the affidavit, the grandmother and Lelenoa were living in the same household at the time of the incident.

During the investigation, officers interviewed the victim's son-in-law to determine whether he had witnessed the alleged assault. He informed police that he had not seen the incident. According to his statement, he was awakened by his mother-in-law crying loudly and telling him that Justin had hit her. The son-in-law subsequently contacted police to report the matter.

Officers observed the victim's injuries and took photographs using a cellular phone to document her condition.

The initial report described the victim as having been punched on the right side of her head, while her statement to police described blows to the left side of her face. Both accounts reported that she sustained a bump on the left side of her head.

EMS personnel later arrived at the residence and provided medical assistance to the victim. The affidavit does not specify whether she was transported to the hospital or required additional treatment.

By the time officers arrived at the residence, Lelenoa was no longer present.

After completing the initial investigation, police advised the reporting party to contact the TPS immediately if Lelenoa returned home.

Social Services Assists Police Investigation

The following day, Sept. 24, 2026, Social Services personnel arrived at the TPS regarding the alleged assault.

According to the affidavit, a Social Services representative informed police that the victim's daughter had contacted their office to report the incident. The daughter also provided information indicating that Lelenoa was at the family residence at that time.

Based on this information, officers were dispatched to Mapusaga to locate the defendant.

Upon arriving at the residence, officers reportedly observed Lelenoa hiding behind the house. He was apprehended and placed inside a police patrol vehicle before being transported to the TPS for further investigation.

Defendant Admits Punching Grandmother

Upon arrival at the TPS, Lelenoa was taken into an interrogation room for questioning. Before the interview began, an officer advised him of his constitutional rights. The suspect acknowledged that he understood his rights, voluntarily waived them, and agreed to provide a statement concerning the incident.

Lelenoa reportedly admitted that he punched his grandmother four times on the left side of her face. However, his explanation for the confrontation differed from the account provided by the victim.

Lelenoa told investigators that his grandmother had repeatedly called his name, which caused him to become paranoid.

He stated that he subsequently punched her four times, causing a bump on the left side of her forehead. 

His statement does not identify the disagreement over food as the reason for his actions, and the affidavit does not provide further details regarding Lelenoa's explanation or whether he was questioned about the difference between the two accounts.

Following the defendant's interview, police completed the booking process and confined Lelenoa at the Tafuna Correctional Facility for 48 hours, pending his initial appearance in District Court.

Lelenoa is identified as a 24-year-old US national.

The victim is a 70-year-old woman.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on Sept. 28, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.]