Last Friday, 47 year-old Alexander Aquino of Kona, who was found “Guilty” for Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree in May, was sentenced to a 5 year prison term in Kona Circuit Court.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray argued for the imposition of the maximum penalty for the case which stemmed from a chain of events that occurred between August 1, 2020 and August 21, 2021.

Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree (knowingly restrained a minor under circumstances which exposed the minor to the risk of serious bodily injury) is a class C felony offense which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison. Aquino, who remained on supervised release for the majority of the pendency of these criminal proceedings, was immediately taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.

The lead investigator was Detective Brandon Mansur, Juvenile Aid Section, Area II Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.

In a press release Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen said, “This was a case of family violence, child abuse, and neglect.  We pray that today’s sentencing brings some sense of justice to those involved.  This type of behavior will not be tolerated nor should any child have to endure this type of abuse. Our Office will continue to work with law enforcement and our legislature to establish the creation of laws to better protect our keiki.”

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office