Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 37 year-old Ashley Turner of Hilo was arrested and charged in relation to the arson of a Wainaku residence on March 25, 2022.

As the Complaint alleges, Turner was charged with Arson in the First Degree (intentionally set fire and/or cause property to be burned and knowingly or recklessly damage the property of another, without their consent, in amount over $20,000, and/or knowingly place another person in danger of death or bodily injury). Arson in the First Degree is a class A felony offense punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The investigation was handled by Officers Victor McLellan, Gyasi Williams, Alexis Amon-Wilkins, Christopher Barto, and Joshua Willing, South Hilo Patrol, and Detective Clarence Davies, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Lee.

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

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecutor’s Office