Hawaiʻi County Prosecutors secured an indictment before a Hilo grand jury charging 41 year-old Stanton A. Joaquin of Puna in relation to a March 20, 2024 incident.

Among the allegations, police reports indicate that Joaquin struck his 21 year-old son with a gas canister torch fracturing his skull and causing inter-cranial hemorrhaging.

On March 22, Joaquin was charged in Hilo District Court. He was released after posting $22,000.00 bail.

On March 27, Prosecutor’s secured the Indictment, which also alleged additional charges, and obtained a $130,000.00 indictment warrant.

On April 1, Joaquin turned himself in on the outstanding warrant and posted the
additional required bail. He was released from custody and is scheduled to make his initial
Hilo Circuit appearance on Friday afternoon.

As the Indictment alleges, Joaquin was charged with Assault in the First Degree, (cause
serious bodily injury, a fractured skull with inter-cranial hemorrhaging, to another person),
Assault in the Second Degree (caused bodily injury to another person with a dangerous
instrument, a gas cannister with torch), Felony Abuse of a Family or Household Member (cause
physical abuse in the presence of a minor), two counts of Terroristic Threatening in the First
Degree, and misdemeanor Abuse of a Family or Household Member.
The most serious offense, Assault in the First Degree, is a class B felony punishable by
either a ten-year prison term or five years probation and up to eighteen months in jail.

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

The case was initiated by Officer Conrad Bidal of HPD’s Puna Patrol, while the felony investigation
was led by Officer Corey Kaneko of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Kirsten Selvig and Patrick Muñoz.

 

HPD Photo