Woman’s husband allegedly assaults her with her children watching

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 11, 2025, a victim of an alleged domestic dispute contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) and requested assistance.

The suspect was 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; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Second Degree (DV), a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

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

The court affidavit revealed that on July 11th, a victim called the FPS to report her husband had allegedly assaulted her in the presence of their three children.

Police officers proceeded to the call and were waved down by an unknown woman who introduced herself as the victim. The victim told the officers that the suspect had fled the scene once he heard the police were on the way.

One of the officers conducted an interview with the victim while the other officers canvassed the area to locate the suspect.

According to the victim, the suspect came home and turned up the volume of the TV and she asked him to turn down the volume because it was too loud. However, her husband responded by yelling profanities at her and threatening to cut her to pieces.

He then proceeded to grab a metal baseball bat and hit her once by the left area of her ear. They were in the living room and their children were present. After he hit her, he took the baseball bat and ran outside the house towards the road.

The victim told the officers that she feared for her life and the safety of her children.

Officers observed red markings on the victim’s left ear.

The defendant is identified as a 39-year-old citizen of Samoa.