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American Samoan arrested in Colorado for domestic violence

reporters@samoanews.com

A US Army solider from American Samoa, who is stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado, has been arrested by police in Fountain, Colorado, according to reports by various news outlets in the area.

The Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper quotes Fountain Police Lt. Matt Racine saying that 19-year-old Pfc. Dennyboy Lilomaiava was arrested Saturday afternoon on suspicion of domestic violence crimes including second-degree kidnapping and third-degree assault.

The City of Foundation is located in El Paso County, Colorado. Samoa News’ phone call yesterday to the Foundation Police Department seeking additional comments on the case including confirmation of the charges, as well as a court appearance date, was automatically transferred to the El Paso County Sheriff, whose spokesperson didn’t return a phone message immediately. It was unclear yesterday when Lilomaiava will appear in court, as his name didn’t come up during a Samoa News online search of El Paso County court records.

Based on inmate records, Colorado Springs Gazette reports that Lilomaiava — as of Monday this week — was held at the El Paso County jail without bond and on an active-duty Fort Carson hold.

The Gazette reported that a witness called police after seeing a woman, who may have been forced into a vehicle against her will, near a Walmart store. The witness followed the vehicle until it entered Fort Carson; and police contacted Fort Carson officials and the vehicle and Lilomaiava were identified.

Lilomaiava was arrested, and police interviewed the woman, who had suffered minor injuries to her face, Racine said.

Several news media report that Lilomaiava of American Samoa has served in the military for a year and a half and he is assigned to the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, according to Fort Carson officials. Additionally, Fort Carson is coopering with Fountain Police Department in their investigation.