44 year-old Jacob Umemoto of Hilo was arrested and charged with felony abuse and felon in possession of a firearm offenses stemming from a December 9 domestic incident involving a minor.

Umemoto is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo District Court today. He remains in custody in lieu of $90,000.00 bail.  Umemoto was also arrested on an unrelated federal felony warrant.

As the Complaint alleges, Umemoto, who has a prior federal felony conviction, was charged with Felony Abuse of a Family or Household Member, Misdemeanor Abuse of a Family or Household Member, Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited (a Taurus brand, .38 caliber revolver), and two counts of Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited. Ownership or Possession Prohibited is a class B felony offense which carries a maximum penalty of a ten-year prison term. If convicted as charged, Umemoto faces sentencing to a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation.

The investigation was led by Detective Richard Itliong, Area I Juvenile Aid Section, and assisted by members of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kirsten Selvig.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney