40 year-old James Pomaikai Kepa of Puna was charged with offenses related to the sexual assault and kidnapping of a minor, whom he was prohibited from having contact with by court order.

The incident is alleged to have taken place at a Hawaiian Paradise Park residence on August 15, 2023.

As the Complaint alleges, Kepa was charged with two counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree (knowingly engaged in sexual penetration with a minor who was less than fourteen years old) and a single count each of Kidnapping (restrained another person by means of force, and/or threat, and/or without the consent of the relative, person, or institution having lawful custody of a minor, with intent to inflict bodily injury upon said minor and/or subject said minor to a sexual offense), Assault in the Second Degree (knowingly cause bodily injury to another person whom defendant is restrained from by order of any court), and Violation of an Order for Protection. The most serious charge, Sexual Assault in the First Degree, is a class A felony offense and carries a penalty of a twenty years in prison. Prosecutors have provided notice in the Complaint of an intention to seek an extended term of imprisonment.

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

The felony investigation was led by Acting Detective Corey Kaneko of the HPD Area I Juvenile Aid Section, while the case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ha‘aheo Kaho‘ohalahala.

 

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney