Man charged with rape of underaged girl who reportedly became pregnant

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man has been charged following an investigation involving a 16-year-old girl who was reported pregnant earlier this year. The defendant was arrested and charged with: Count 1: Rape, a class B felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than five (5) years and not more than fifteen (15) years; Count 2: Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to five (5) years, a fine not to exceed $5,00, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 3: Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. The defendant was held without bail. (Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identity and privacy of the victim who is a minor.) According to the court affidavit, the investigation began on Jan. 11, 2026, after Child Protective Services (CPS) referred the matter to police. Authorities stated that investigators from the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) were assigned to look into allegations involving a teenage girl and an adult male. Court records stated that investigators interviewed the teenage girl on two separate occasions at the TPS as part of the investigation. The victim initially identified another individual as the father of her unborn child. However, after police interviewed that individual and continued the investigation, the teenager later identified a different man during a follow-up interview conducted several days later. Authorities allege that the suspect and the teenage girl first communicated through social media in October 2025 before eventually meeting in person. During one alleged encounter, the suspect picked the girl up from school and drove her to an abandoned residence in the Iliili area, where sexual activity allegedly occurred. Investigators further allege that on another occasion, the suspect again picked the girl up from school and brought her to his residence in Petesa, where additional sexual activity allegedly took place. The victim also told police that one of her friends accompanied her during both meetings and remained in a separate area while she was alone with the suspect. She later became pregnant and was approximately three months pregnant at the time of the interview. As part of the investigation, police also interviewed the suspect at the TPS According to investigators, the suspect admitted that he had been in a relationship with the teenager and acknowledged picking her up from school on multiple occasions beginning in October 2025. The suspect admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the minor at locations in Iliili and Petesa. Investigators further stated that the suspect acknowledged knowing the girl was underage. Police also interviewed the teenager’s friend, who reportedly confirmed accompanying the girl during the meetings with the suspect. The friend told investigators she went along because she wanted to make sure the teenager was safe. The defendant is identified as a 32-year-old U.S National. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on April 22, 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 17:51:51