Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 43 year-old John Lee Franks of Ocean View, who was wanted on an outstanding $150,000.00 Grand Jury Indictment bench warrant, is back in custody.
On Tuesday, March 7, 2022, Franks was escorted back to the Big Island by Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Investigators who extradited him from O‘ahu to face his criminal charges after his coordinated arrest by Honolulu Police outside of the Castle Medical Center in Kailua.
On February 23, 2022, Prosecutors indicted Franks before a Hilo Grand Jury with three offenses involving the sexual assault of a minor and secured the issuance of the $150,000.00 bench warrant. Franks, who was originally charged via Complaint in Kona District Court, was out of custody on $50,000.00 bail, which was reduced from $150,000.00 over Prosecutors’ objections. Prosecutors elected to present the case before the Grand Jury prior to his March 10, 2022 preliminary hearing in Kona District Court.
As the Indictment alleges Franks is charged with two counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree and a single count of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years which occurred between November 2021 and February 2022. 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 20 years in prison.
The lead investigator was Detective Kevin Brodie, Area II Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kate Perazich.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Photo credit: Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office