Verbal altercation escalates into alleged assault

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 9, 2025, a victim of a domestic disturbance called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report that she was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend. The victim also reported that the suspect allegedly assaulted her daughter.

The suspect was later apprehended and charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, but not less than $150, or both such imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2 & 3: 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 but not less than $150, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $3,000.

The court affidavit stated that on May 9th, Clarence Sefuiva (the suspect) was causing a disturbance at his girlfriend’s (victim #1) residence.

An investigation revealed that the suspect and victim #1 had a verbal altercation where the suspect allegedly assaulted her and her daughter.

Police officers proceeded to the call and upon approaching the road to the scene, they were waved down by a lady in front of a gas station. The lady introduced herself as victim #1 and explained what had happened.

According to victim #1’s verbal statement, she stated that she and her kids came back from decorating the church and the suspect was already at her house. When she walked into the house, she heard the suspect yelling and calling her names. She approached him where she sat in front of Sefuiva to talk to him but he pushed off the chair.

Moreover, as she was on the floor, her daughter (victim #2) ran up and stood between her and Sefuiva and told him not to lay hands on her. Victim #2 and Sefuiva continued to yell at each other, with Sefuiva grabbing a plastic chair and striking victim #2 with it. Victim #2 used her arm to cover her face from being hit by the chair.

Victim #1 said that after Sefuiva hit her daughter with the chair, Sefuiva started punching her daughter multiple times.

The investigation revealed that the residence at which the incident took place belongs to victim #1’s husband. After her husband left, Sefuiva resided with them in the same house. Victim #1 also stated that this is not the first time where Sefuiva has laid his hands on her. She alleged that the suspect would hurt her in front of her kids and it was one of the reasons why her daughter got involved.

Sefuiva was apprehended from the victim’s house and transported to the TPS. Upon transporting the suspect, authorities detected a strong smell of alcoholic beverages emitting from the suspect.

Victim #2 was interviewed at the station and explained her side of the story. According to victim #2, her mother and younger siblings went to clean and decorate the church, and when they arrived back home, she heard Sefuiva yelling at her mother and calling her names.

She claimed that at first she didn’t bother to get involved, but when the suspect pushed her mother off the chair, it got her mad and she confronted Sefuiva. She said she yelled at him and told him not to touch her mother.

Victim #2 said she stood in front of her mother to cover her while still yelling at Sefuiva. At which point, he picked up a plastic chair and struck her with it. He also started punching her while she tried to fight back. Her uncle then came and pushed the suspect against the wall and she and her mother got the chance to escape the house.

Victim # 2 also stated that this has been an ongoing issue. She alleged that the suspect would beat up her mother in front of her and her younger siblings.

A minor was also interviewed and he stated that when they arrived home with his mother and sister, Sefuiva asked them where they had been, and then he started yelling at their mother. The suspect accused his mother of seeing other men and snatched the car keys from his mother while pushing her on the floor. His sister jumped in and was assaulted by Sefuiva. His uncle who lives with them intervened and helped them escape from the suspect.

The suspect was Mirandized and refused to make a statement,

He 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 37-year-old U.S National.