Suspicious husband allegedly assaults wife

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 6, 2025, a woman contacted the Fagatogo Police Station to report that her husband allegedly assaulted her because he suspected that she had an affair.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

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

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

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

(Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identity of the victim and her children.)

According to the court affidavit, on June 6th, a victim contacted the FPS for assistance regarding her husband who had assaulted her by punching her in the head and mouth inside their home.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival, they met up with an old lady who was identified as the victim’s mother. The victim’s mother then told the officers to wait while she gets her daughter (victim).

The officers asked the victim regarding her husband's whereabouts and she pointed out that he was inside their bedroom.

The officers quickly proceeded to the bedroom, knocked on the door and the suspect opened it. The officers immediately detected an odor of alcohol emitting from the suspect but he appeared normal and in a clear state of mind.

They apprehended him and transported him to the FPS for further investigation.

Another police unit stayed behind and conducted a field interview of the victim.

According to the victim, she was hanging out with her cousins at her staff party, and they were all drinking together, including her husband when all of a sudden, her husband got mad and accused her of having an affair with one of her staff members.

The suspect then punched her in the mouth. The victim further stated that she didn’t want her staff to know what was happening, so they left the party. And, when they arrived home, her husband started punching her again, twice in the head and mouth. The victim also stated that she doesn’t remember how or when she got scratch marks on her neck because he was punching her.

At this point, she walked outside to her kids while the suspect was still in the room, and contacted the police station.

In addition, the victim informed the officers that this is not the first time this has happened. She stated that the suspect would hit her every time he is drunk.

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

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

The defendant is identified as a 53-year-old citizen of Samoa.