Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 26, 2026, a 14‑year‑old girl was escorted to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) by her father and two teachers to report repeated sexual assaults by a 42‑year‑old neighbor.

The suspect was charged with the following:

Count 1 & 2: Rape - a Class B Felony, a crime punishable by imprisonment of not less than 5 years and not more than 15 years;

Count 3 & 4: Sodomy - a Class B Felony, a crime punishable by imprisonment of not less than 5 years and not more than 15 years;

Count 5 & 6: Deviate Sexual Assault - a Class C Felony, a crime punishable by imprisonment of not more than 7 years and a fine of not more than $5000, or both;

Count 7: a Class D Felony, a crime punishable by imprisonment of not more than 5 years and a fine of not more than $5000, or both;

Count 8: Sexual Assault - a Class C Felony, a crime punishable by imprisonment of not more than 7 years and fine of not more than $5000, or both; and,

Count 9: False Imprisonment, a Class A Misdemeanor, a crime punishable by imprisonment of not more than 1 year and a fine of not more than $1000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

(Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identity of the victim/ minor involved.)

According to the court affidavit, filed in District Court on Jan. 30th, the 14-year old appeared extremely frightened, cried throughout the interview, and spoke in a shaky voice as she attempted to recount what had happened.

The officer who interviewed her noted that it was difficult for the victim to talk and that she appeared emotionally overwhelmed. It was reported that the situation began nearly a week earlier.

On January 20, the victim was walking to school with her younger siblings when she passed her neighbor’s residence. The suspect allegedly called out to her, asking her to skip school and spend time with him. She told him no and kept walking.

Throughout the school day, other students warned her that the man had been seen waiting near one of the school gates.

The victim avoided him on her way home but told police that she felt frightened and unsettled the entire day.

The victim reported that due to her fear of passing by his residence, she stayed home from school on Jan. 21 and 22. She said she did not want to risk encountering the suspect again, especially after hearing that he had attempted to find her near school grounds.

On the morning of Jan. 23, she attempted to return to school. She walked to the campus with her siblings, but shortly after arriving, she remembered that she needed an excuse note from her mother for her previous absences. She left campus and began walking home.

According to the affidavit, when she passed the suspect’s home for the second time that morning, she noticed him standing outside, appearing to be waiting for her.

The affidavit also stated that the victim saw the suspect holding a baseball bat near his gate. He allegedly made explicit comments toward her and blocked her path. Despite her repeated verbal refusals, the victim said the suspect grabbed her arm and forcibly pulled her into his home. Once inside, the suspect allegedly locked the door behind them.

What followed inside the home, as summarized in the affidavit, was a prolonged and violent assault. While Samoa News is withholding explicit details due to the victim’s age, investigators included a detailed account provided by the teen.

She told officers that she felt overpowered and terrified, and was in significant pain — unable to move or escape. She reported crying, begging the suspect to stop, and repeatedly telling him that she was in pain. The suspect ignored her pleas.

The teen reported that at one point during the incident, the suspect left the house to get cigarettes from a neighboring location. She tried to sit up but struggled due to pain in her lower back and pelvic area. She noticed blood on the bedding and attempted to clean herself and the surroundings quietly, fearing he would return quickly. She told investigators she was confused, scared, and unsure what to do.

The affidavit stated that when the suspect returned, he assaulted her again before eventually telling her to leave. Before she left the house, he allegedly threatened to harm her 12-year-old sister if she told anyone what had happened. The victim said this threat terrified her and made her afraid to speak up immediately.

When she walked home, the young girl attempted to act normal in front of her family. She later told her mother that evening what had happened, but the affidavit indicates that she was still frightened, in pain, and emotionally overwhelmed.

The following Monday, Jan. 26, she confided in a teacher at her school.

According to the affidavit, the teacher did not immediately notify police. Instead, the teacher drove the victim home after school that day and again on Tuesday, Jan. 27, without reporting the disclosure to authorities.

(Of note: Territorial law requires teachers and all school personnel to immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect. There was a delay of two days.)

It was not until Wednesday, Jan. 28, that the matter was finally reported.

The victim told officers she was taken by the teacher she had told of the incident to another teacher and that all three of them went to the vice principal’s office where they reported what had happened.

The school then contacted the victim’s father, and both were taken to the TPS to make a formal report.

During the police interview, officers noted that the victim appeared frightened, cried throughout the conversation, and spoke with difficulty. She allowed police to examine her torso after reporting that she had been bruised. Investigators documented multiple visible marks consistent with her statements.

Later that day, officers located the suspect and took him into custody.

According to the affidavit, he was advised of his rights and stated that he understood them.

He denied all involvement and claimed he had spent the entire day of Jan. 23 at a cousin’s home. Police interviewed the cousin, who stated that the suspect had not visited him at all that day, contradicting the suspect’s account.

The suspect was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he remains pending further legal proceedings.

[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. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court. ra]