Reported meth use may be at the root of alleged abuse

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 24, 2025, a distressed victim contacted the authorities and reported a domestic dispute between her and her husband which led to him allegedly assaulting her.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: 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 A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 3: Endangering the Welfare of a Child (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $5,000.

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

According to the court affidavit, on June 24th, at approximately 7:54 a.m., a distressed victim reported that her husband (suspect) allegedly assaulted her.

An investigation later revealed that on the morning of the incident, the suspect went home — went through his children’s backpack and ate their lunch which the victim had prepared for school.

When the victim discovering that her children’s lunches had been eaten by her husband she confronted him — asking why he always eats the food for the kids to take to school.

In turn, the suspect retaliated and threw his cigarette lighter at her and she threw it back at him and ran towards the door to try to get out of their bedroom.

At that point, the suspect got off the bed and grabbed her by her shirt before forcibly slamming her head into the bedroom wall. He continued by grabbing her a second time and threw her onto the bed where he repeatedly punched her face — about four times.

The victim made several attempts to block the incoming blows from the suspect but was unsuccessful. The victim also made multiple attempts to push the suspect away but he overpowered her and continued to punch her two more times.

The affidavit states that it was reported that the suspect deprived the victim of her freedom and made every attempt for the victim to leave the room impossible.

In addition, during the initial contact when the suspect slammed the victim’s head into the wall, the victim stated that she was holding her one year-old daughter. She mentioned that she almost dropped her daughter due to the recklessness and assault she suffered from her husband.

It was also revealed that during the assault, three minors were present in the couple’s bedroom. A one year-old, which the victim was holding while she was assaulted, a two-year old and a 4 year-old. All three minors are the couple’s biological children.

The victim further informed the authorities that this is a constant occurrence between her and her husband; and mentioned that the suspect is a heavy meth user and these are his withdrawals symptoms that are a contributing factor to his short temper.

The victim was checked over by EMS and was treated for her injuries but she refused to go into the hospital for further medical treatment. The victim signed a waiver and was later released by the responding EMTs.

The suspect/ husband was apprehended at the scene and brought into the TPS for processing.

Upon arrival at the station, he was Mirandized to which he understood but refused to make a statement.

The suspect was booked and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 31-year-old citizen of Samoa.