Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 6, 2024, Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a victim reporting that her husband allegedly attempted to assault her with a chair.

The suspect was arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The affidavit does not state a bail for the defendant.

According to the affidavit, on December 6th, at about 8:00 p.m., TPS received a call from a female individual (later identified as the victim) regarding her husband (later identified as the suspect) attempting to hit her with a chair and later damaging their properties inside their house.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, they observed the suspect (later identified as Joe Faiai) outside the house. The officers handcuffed the suspect and placed him inside the police unit.

Police officers interviewed the victim and she stated that the suspect was drinking in front of their house, when he came inside the house and asked if she cooked any food. She replied that “the food is on the table”.

The victim said that later on, she heard a loud bang coming from outside her room, and when she came out she discovered that their television was damaged.

She told the suspect to stop but he refused to listen. He then approached her with a wooden chair and attempted to hit her. At that point, the victim stated she decided to call the police for assistance.

The suspect was transported to the TPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the suspect was Mirandized and refused to make a statement.

The suspect was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await his initial appearance at the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 42-year-old citizen of Samoa.