Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 20, 2026, a man contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) and reported that a suspect assaulted his wife.

The suspect was later charged with:

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

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, the defendant, later identified as Viiga Ta’ala, allegedly punched the woman twice in the face and struck her in the back with a white plastic chair.

Upon their arrival at approximately 6:13 p.m., officers reportedly encountered the injured woman beside the roadway. The officers described the victim as being extremely distressed, anguished and injured, and pleading for help.

When asked what had happened, the victim reportedly pointed toward the public highway in the direction of her husband, who had left the residence to seek assistance.

Officers subsequently located the husband walking back toward the residence. The victim’s husband initially told police that the victim's brother, Ta'ala Viiga, had assaulted her inside the house.

Police returned to the residence and met with the victim.

Officers immediately observed blood on the victim’s mouth and hands, while she was also experiencing difficulty seeing clearly. The affidavit also stated that the victim was having difficulty speaking because she was sobbing and shaking.

While one officer remained with the victim to calm her and obtain information about what had occurred, other officers proceeded to the residence where the defendant was reportedly located.

The victim was instructed to have her husband take her to FPS so she could receive medical attention from EMS. 

Police said the defendant was also encountered as he walked out of the residence and was instructed to go to the police vehicle for transportation to headquarters for further investigation.

Upon arrival at FPS, EMS personnel were waiting for the victim and treated her for her injuries.

The defendant was subsequently taken inside the police station, where he was Mirandized.The suspect acknowledged that he understood his rights but declined to provide a statement regarding the incident.

The victim required additional medical treatment and was transported to LBJ Hospital. At approximately 10:50 p.m., police officers went to the hospital to obtain her written statement and check on her medical condition.

Police were informed by a physician that the victim would remain at the hospital overnight for further treatment and that her eyes would be examined after 24 hours.

ALLEGED CONFRONTATION

In her written statement to police, the victim reportedly described the confrontation as beginning after she returned home from church practice.

According to her statement, she heard the defendant speaking to her grandmother about something she could not understand. While her grandmother was attempting to explain what was happening, the defendant allegedly interrupted and asked where the pig's head was.

The victim reportedly told the defendant not to interrupt her grandmother while she was speaking. The defendant then allegedly became angry, where he swore and approached the victim before punching her twice in the face.

The first punch allegedly struck her in the mouth, while the second was directed to her left eye. The victim reportedly raised her hand to protect her face, at which point the defendant allegedly grabbed a plastic chair and struck her in the back.

An aunt then intervened and held the defendant back, allowing the victim to run outside in search of her husband.

Police photographed the woman's injuries during the investigation.

The victim's husband also provided a written statement to police.

According to the victim’s husband, he told investigators that he and his wife (victim) had returned home when the defendant confronted them and began arguing with them over food.

The husband reportedly said his wife told the defendant that the food was finished. The defendant allegedly became angry and aggressive, particularly over the pig's head.

The husband alleged that the defendant picked up a chair and struck his wife with it, causing her to fall. He then allegedly punched her. The husband further alleged that the defendant threatened to kill them that night.

He told police that an elderly woman at the residence instructed everyone to stop, after which he called 911 for assistance.

The grandmother who was present at the residence also provided a statement to police.

According to the grandmother, she said the defendant had returned home after choir practice and became upset because he believed food had not been prepared for his children.

The witness reportedly told police that the defendant complained that the children were hungry and questioned why the family had gone to practice without feeding them.

The disagreement reportedly involved leftover food and a pig's head.

The witness said the defendant became increasingly upset and eventually charged toward the victim. She alleged that he threw a plastic chair and punched the victim in the face.

The witness also reportedly told police that the defendant used profanities and went after the victim's husband during the confrontation.

The witness also described concerns about the defendant's involvement in caring for his children, stating that he had allegedly been sleeping much of the time over the previous two days. 

Following the incident, the defendant was treated by EMS at a later time before being booked and confined.

He was then transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he remained pending his next appearance in District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 36-year-old U.S national.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 21, 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.]
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