Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 43 year-old John Lee Franks of Ocean View was charged with three offenses involving the sexual assault of a minor which occurred between November 2021 and February of 2022. This marks the second time this week that an individual was charged by Prosecutors with offenses related to the sexual assault of a minor.

As the Complaint 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. 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.

On Thursday, February 17, Franks made his initial appearance in Kona District Court.  The Court granted Franks’ request for a bail reduction, over Prosecutors’ objection, reducing Franks’ total bail to $50,000.00. The Court also ordered Franks to appear for his preliminary hearing on Friday, February 18 at at 1:30pm.

The lead investigator on this case 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: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorneyʻs Office