Woman alleges her brother-in-law who is pulenu’u threatened her

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 6, 2025, a victim of domestic violence called the Leone Police Substation (LPS) and reported that her brother-in-law allegedly threatened to violently assault and kill her.

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, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

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

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

The court affidavit revealed that on Sept 6th, at about 4:10 p.m., LPS received a call from a woman (the victim/ reporter) in regards to her brother-in-law (the suspect). allegedly threatening her with a metal pipe, while stating that he was going to kill her.

Police officers responded to the call and, upon arrival at the scene, met up with the victim, who briefed them regarding what had happened.

She stated that she went to Fagamalo to take pictures of their old house, where her husband’s family resides, for insurance purposes, which was needed by the Veterans Affairs. Upon arrival at Fagamalo, she took pictures of the house, and while heading back to her car, she heard someone yelling profanities at her and telling her to get off the land or she would be killed.

Moreover, the victim said that the suspect was holding a metal pipe while his wife and children were trying to calm him down. The victim stated that the suspect’s wife snatched the metal pipe away from the suspect, and that’s when the suspect came after her (the victim) with rocks and continued to threaten her. At that time, she called the police for assistance.

The officers proceeded to the suspect’s house and met with the suspect, who was identified as Fili Uta. The suspect explained his side of the story, stating that he got mad because his older brother did not come to explain what his wife was doing at their house.

The suspect was asked if he had approached the victim with a metal pipe, and Uta admitted that he did because he was angry.

Ut was then informed that he would be taken to the LPS for further investigation. The suspect drove to the substation with a police escort. Upon arrival at the LPS, the suspect was Mirandized, to which he understood and refused to give further information pertaining to his involvement in the matter.

The suspect was later 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 and also the village mayor (pulenu’u).