Minor alleges he was assaulted and threatened

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 27, 2025, a victim who is also a minor called the Leone Police Substation (LPS) and reported a suspect who was causing a disturbance and threatening to assault him and his mother, according to the affidavits filed in the District Court, December 2, 2025.

The suspect fled the scene but was later charged with:

Count 1 & 2: Assault in the Third Degree ( As a Class C Misd.), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 3: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both; and,

Count 4: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

Court records reveal that a minor (later identified as the reporter/ victim) called the authorities to allege that Sarasopa Sianini (later identified as the suspect) tried to assault him inside a store in Vailoa, as well as also threatening him.

Police responded to the call and, upon arrival on scene, met the victim, who briefed them. In addition, the victim also showed the officers video footage captured by the store's security camera of the incident.

The victim was interviewed and explained that he was an employee at the Vailoa Mart. He stated that "after he refused the suspect's cash for purchase, Sianini got angry and tried to throw a plastic juice bottle at him. He tried to calm the suspect down and told him to leave the store, but the suspect refused.

The suspect continued to act as if he would throw the juice bottle at him and also made a gesture as if he was taking his belt off to beat him; and, that’s when he called the LPS for assistance.

The officers were unable to locate the suspect.

Later that same day, the victim's mother, the store owner, reported that "this is not the first time that the suspect has done this." She continued that on the day of the incident, she was scared when the suspect barged into the store, yelling profanities, while she was in the back of the store.

She went out into the store to see what was going on; and, the suspect made a gesture as if he would slap her while she was carrying her one-year-old infant.

Video footage later showed the suspect acting as if he would throw a bottle at the victim and made threatening gestures of opening his belt to beat up the victim. He also made a gesture as if he was about to slap the victim's mother.

The defendant is identified as a 45-year-old U.S national.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court. ra]