47 year-old John Lee Franks of Ocean View was found guilty of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years and Attempted Sexual Assault in the First Degree in relation to incidents that occurred between November 2021 and February 2022.

Earlier this year, the two-week bench trial took place in Kona Circuit Court. On May 29, the Court issued its Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law Following Bench Trial finding Franks guilty of both the included offense of Attempted Sexual Assault in the First Degree in Count 1 and Continuous Sexual Assault of Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years in Count 3. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 18.

Franks remains out of custody having previously posted $50,000.00 bail following his initial arraignment in March 2022.

Continuous Sexual Assault of Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years and Attempted Sexual Assault in the First Degree are both class A felony offenses and carry a penalty of a twenty-year prison term.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.

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