Girl terrified after man allegedly covered her mouth while she was sleeping

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 19, 2026, police launched an investigation into an alleged unlawful entry incident involving a teenage girl after defendant Raymond Puni was accused of entering a family home and approaching the girl while she slept. The defendant was later arrested and charged with: Count 1: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of not more than six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine; Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of not more than 15 days, a fine of not more than $300, or both; and, Count 3: Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than seven years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both. No bail was indicated for the defendant. According to the court affidavit, officers from the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) arrived at the scene around 9 a.m. and observed the teenage victim along with her father. The girl was outside the residence visibly upset and crying. Investigators immediately interviewed both individuals to determine what had occurred. According to the victim’s statement, she had finished breakfast and returned to her bedroom to rest while waiting for the church bell to ring later that morning. Eventually, she fell asleep before suddenly waking after feeling someone leaning against her right side. The victim told police that she initially believed the person beside her was one of her cousins and attempted to push the individual away. However, when she opened her eyes, she allegedly realized it was the defendant standing over her. The victim further stated that the suspect then covered her mouth with his shirt and told her not to say anything. She immediately pushed him away and repeatedly told him to leave the house but the suspect responded by telling her that she would identify him. The victim also stated that she was frightened and ran crying toward a nearby shack behind the house where her uncle was staying. The suspect fled immediately afterward and ran into nearby bushes before family members could stop him. The victim’s uncle reportedly chased after the suspect but was unable to catch him. He then contacted the victim’s father to explain what had happened inside the home. According to the father’s statement, he had left the residence earlier that morning around 8 a.m. to pick up a taxi passenger because he worked as a taxi driver. He also told the officers that while driving toward the main road, he allegedly saw the defendant sitting near the roadside eating snacks but did not suspect anything unusual at the time. A short time later, the father reportedly received a frantic phone call from his brother informing him that someone had entered the family home and frightened his daughter. Police say the father immediately turned around without picking up the passenger and rushed back home, where he found his daughter crying and visibly shaken. He then contacted police requesting immediate assistance. The affidavit also stated that the victim believed the suspect entered the home through a broken front window because both the front and back doors had been locked earlier that morning after her father left for work. The victim reportedly told investigators that although she did not personally know the defendant, she recognized him from frequently walking past their home in the neighborhood. The father informed officers the defendant was allegedly well known in the area for prior incidents involving theft and trespassing. Following the interviews, officers conducted an extensive search throughout the area in an effort to locate the suspect but were initially unsuccessful. Later that same day, officers traveled to the suspect’s residence in the village of Pavaia'i to continue the investigation. The officers later spoke with the suspect’s mother, explained the allegations, and gathered additional information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts. The following day, investigators returned to the victim’s residence to conduct a second interview with the teenager in the presence of her father. During that interview, the victim reportedly clarified that the suspect did not sexually assault her, or attempt to remove her clothing, or physically touch her in a sexual manner. However, the victim told investigators that the experience left her terrified because she did not know what the suspect intended to do after entering her room and covering her mouth. The teenager also shared her fear thinking she might have been raped or physically assaulted during the encounter and said she never imagined experiencing such an incident inside her own home. Police officers continued searching for the suspect following the second interview. The matter remains under investigation and before the court for further proceedings. The defendant is identified as a 25-year-old U.S National. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on April 24, 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.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-05-15 17:16:08