Man arrested for threatening wife with machete

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 23, 2025, a victim of domestic violence called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) requesting assistance regarding her husband who was allegedly disturbing the peace and threatening to harm her.

The suspect was arrested and later charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 3: Property Damage in the Third Degree (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 4: Endangering the Welfare of a Child (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

(Samoa News has withheld names of those involved to protect the identities of the victim and minor involved in this case.)

According to the court affidavit, on Jan. 23rd, at approximately 12:20 a.m., a female individual (later identified as the victim) contacted the TPS that her husband (later identified as the suspect) chased her around their home with a machete. Shortly after, an unidentified neighbor also called to report that the suspect was pursuing the victim with a rock.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene met with the reporter and the victim, who was holding the machete with which she claimed the suspect had used to threaten her. She directed the officers to her residence and identified the room where the suspect was likely located.

Officers approached the residence and found the suspect lying on the bed. The suspect was immediately apprehended and placed in the police unit to be transported to the police station.

It was noted in the affidavit that the victim is the owner of the house that she and her husband reside in.The officers interviewed the victim who recounted the events leading up to the incident.

The victim stated that the altercation began the previous day, Jan. 22, when she went out with a friend to gather traditional medicine for her family. Upon her return, the suspect was angry and accused her of being unfaithful. Moreover, she stated that the situation escalated the following day, Jan. 23rd, when the suspect saw her with the same friend.

The suspect ordered her to return home and upon her arrival, he began yelling at her while holding a machete. The victim continued that the suspect threatened her by telling her that if she ever speaks again he will come and cut her with the machete.

The victim also stated that the suspect threatened to harm her, struck the walls of their home with the machete and threw a flashlight at the windows causing extensive damage to the louvers.

The victim added that the suspect attempted to take their 2-year-old daughter from her. She noted that their child has been present many times during the suspect’s violent outbursts which have been an ongoing issue. The victim claimed that she believed the suspect refrained from hitting her because she was holding their 2-year-old daughter.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the suspect was Mirandized and he agreed to answer questions and provide a statement regarding the said matter.

According to the suspect, he stated that he was angry because the victim had left the previous day without informing him. He became upset again when he saw her with her friend weaving a fine mat. The suspect admitted to arguing with the victim, wielding a machete, striking the house walls, and breaking the louvers by throwing a flashlight.

The suspect appeared to be under the influence at the time of the incident and the victim expressed that she felt unsafe with the suspect in their home. She cited his ongoing behavior which often occurs in the presence of their 2-year-old daughter.

The victim stated that although she did not sustain any physical injuries, the pattern of threatening behavior and property damage concerns her.

Later, the suspect was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility  to await his appearance in the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 52-year-old citizen of Tonga.