Man charged with allegedly assaulting and threatening his wife

Victim claims drugs may be involved By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 24, 2026, a woman in distress walked into the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report that her husband had allegedly assaulted and threatened her. The suspect was later charged with: Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both. The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000. (Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identities of the minors involved in the case.) According to court records, at the TPS, the victim was interviewed by responding officers, during which she described a pattern of abuse that she said had steadily worsened since her return to American Samoa. According to the victim, she returned to the territory on May 22, 2026, and shortly afterward, problems began developing in her marriage. She told investigators that frequent verbal arguments gradually escalated into violent confrontations inside their home. The victim alleged that the abuse progressed from heated verbal disputes to the destruction of furniture inside their home before eventually turning into repeated acts of physical violence, including punching and slapping her during arguments. She further told police that throughout the relationship, the suspect repeatedly accused her of being unfaithful. Initially, he accused her of having affairs with strangers, but according to the victim, those accusations eventually expanded to include members of her own family. The victim told investigators that the incident on June 24th was the most violent confrontation she had experienced during the course of the abuse. She explained that the suspect approached her while yelling and became physically aggressive. She alleged that he grabbed her by her hair and pulled it approximately five times. Although she attempted to defend herself, she said the suspect was physically stronger and overpowered her. After the confrontation, the victim told officers she sat down and cried. She further alleged that the suspect then threatened to kill her, warning her, "I will rip out your throat next time." Investigators noted that the alleged assault and threat occurred in the presence of the couple's two young children — a 7-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son—who witnessed the incident inside the family home. During her interview, the victim informed officers that she wished to seek a restraining order against her husband out of concern for her safety. Police learned that both the victim and the suspect reside together in a home owned by the victim's family. Although the victim declined medical treatment, investigators documented that she reported being assaulted on multiple occasions over an extended period. Officers observed no visible injuries at the time the report was made. The victim also expressed concern that her husband's recent behavior may have been influenced by illegal drug use. She told investigators that he had recently lost a noticeable amount of weight, and his personality and behavior has changed significantly. She said she had also discovered what she believed to be a smoking pipe among his belongings. The affidavit does not indicate whether officers recovered the pipe or confirmed the presence of illegal drugs. Following the interview, officers immediately traveled to the couple's residence in an attempt to locate the suspect. Upon arriving at the home, officers announced their presence and called out his name. Shortly afterward, a male matching the suspect's description exited through the rear door of the residence and fled into nearby bushes. Officers pursued the individual on foot but were unable to catch him, and the suspect successfully escaped. A short time later, the victim arrived at the residence and asked officers to remain at the scene while she gathered clothing and other personal belongings before leaving the home. Police remained at the residence while the victim packed her belongings and secured the house. She then took her two children to stay with a cousin for the night to ensure their safety. After confirming that the victim and her children had safely left the residence, officers cleared the scene. The investigation into the alleged domestic violence incident remains ongoing. The defendant is identified as a 39-year-old U.S National. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 01, 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
2026-07-10 18:15:49