A Hilo grand jury indicted 25 year-old Daniel Harris-Rivera of Hilo with six offenses involving the sexual assault of a minor which are alleged to have occurred over a span of three years, between 2018 and February of 2021.
On February 15, 2022, Harris-Rivera was arrested on the grand jury warrant and later released after posting $220,000.00 cash bail. He made his initial court appearance in Hilo Circuit Court on Wednesday, February 16.
As the Indictment alleges, Harris-Rivera is charged with three counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree, two counts of Sexual Assault in the Third Degree, and a single count of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years. Sexual Assault in the First Degree and Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years are both class A felony offenses and carry a maximum penalty of a 20 year prison term. Prosecutors have provided notice in the Indictment, to seek an extended term if Harris-Rivera is convicted of two or more felonies, thereby subjecting him to the possibility of a life sentence.
The lead investigator was Lieutenant BJ Sagon, Area II Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai’i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Heipua Ahloy.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office