Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 45 year-old Waynerichard Ho of Kona was sentenced to five years in prison for a January 5, 2020 incident involving a minor.

In July, Ho entered “No Contest” pleas to a single count each of Sexual Assault in the Third Degree and Promoting a Detrimental Drug in the Third Degree.

After listening to arguments by both parties, Judge Wendy DeWeese sentenced Ho to a five year prison term for the sexual assault offense and thirty days incarceration for the drug charge. Judge DeWeese ordered Ho, who remained out of custody for the duration of the criminal proceedings after posting bond, to be taken into custody immediately to start serving his prison sentence. As a part of his sentence, Ho will also have to register as a “sex offender.”

The lead investigator for the case was Detective Kevin Brodie, Area II Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kate Perazich.

Photo credit: HPD