Man allegedly assaults wife and stepson after boy takes vehicle without permission

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 26, 2026, a victim of a domestic dispute called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported that her husband assaulted her and her 17-year-old son at their residence. The defendant was later arrested and charged with: Count 1 & 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not more than $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine; Count 3: Endangering the Welfare of a Child (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not more than $1,000, or both; and, Count 4: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both. The defendant was held without bail. (Samoa News has withheld names of those involved to protect the privacy of the minor.) According to the court affidavit, a woman reported that her husband had allegedly assaulted both her and her teenage son during an argument at their home — it was noted that the teenager is the suspect’s stepson, not his biological child. Court documents state that earlier that day, the suspect and the teenager had participated in village work and during the work activity, the suspect allegedly instructed the teen to return home and retrieve a machete. The teenager reportedly used the suspect’s vehicle to travel back to the house without first informing him. After learning that the teen had taken the vehicle, the suspect allegedly became upset and reportedly demanded that the teen leave the family home and stay with relatives from his mother’s side of the family. The woman reportedly told police that her son became fearful following the confrontation and did not want to return home later that evening. According to the report, she attempted to find transportation for him to stay elsewhere, but no vehicle was available at the time. Investigators say the teenager eventually returned home with his mother later that night after spending time around the village and attending volleyball games. Court records indicate that the suspect was not at the residence when they arrived, and the teenager later went into his room to rest. The situation allegedly escalated sometime around midnight when the suspect returned home. According to statements provided to police, the suspect appeared intoxicated and began searching for the teenager inside the house. The woman told officers she heard the suspect shouting and calling out for the teen before approaching the bedroom where he was sleeping. The suspect then kicked open the locked bedroom door, causing it to break apart. The teenager later told investigators that he had been asleep on the floor when the door suddenly flew open. He alleged that the suspect physically assaulted him immediately after entering the room. The woman reportedly attempted to stop the confrontation and pleaded with her husband to calm down. However, investigators say the altercation intensified and eventually moved outside the house. Moreover, the suspect allegedly chased both mother and son outside while continuing to behave aggressively. The teenager told investigators he attempted to escape but was confronted by another family member outside the residence before the suspect allegedly caught up to him again. During the confrontation, the woman was also physically assaulted while trying to separate the two. The teenager eventually managed to flee the scene and ran to a friend’s house for safety, according to the report. Police later observed what appeared to be minor scratches on the teen’s hand and neck area. However, authorities stated that he declined medical treatment and informed officers that he was fine. At approximately 12:20 a.m., responding officers apprehended the suspect at the scene and transported him to the TPS for questioning. Investigators reported that the suspect appeared intoxicated at the time of his arrest, allegedly displaying slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol. After arriving at the station, the suspect Mirandized in the Samoan language where he acknowledged understanding his rights but refused to provide a statement to police or answer investigators’ questions regarding the incident. Following booking procedures, the suspect was transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility where he remained confined pending his initial appearance before the court. The matter remains under investigation. The defendant is identified as a 64-year-old citizen of Samoa. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on April 27, 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
2026-05-18 18:00:32