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Bench Trial for Kona Man Charged with Unlawful Imprisonment of a Minor Concludes

Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that the bench trial for 47 year-old Alexander Aquino of Kona has concluded.  Aquino faces the following charges related to a chain of events that occurred between August 1, 2020 and August 21, 2021:  Felony Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree (knowingly restrained a minor under circumstances which exposed the minor to the risk of serious bodily injury) and misdemeanor Persistent Nonsupport (knowingly failed to provide support to a minor whom he is legally obligated to support).
A Kona Circuit Court judge will provide the verdict on May 18, 2022.
On April 22, 2022, Aquino’s wife, 37 year-old Amy Aquino, who also faced the same charges as her husband, entered a “No Contest” plea to the felony offense of Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 1, 2022.
Prosecutors are free to argue for the maximum penalty in accordance with the agreement which contemplates the dismissal of the misdemeanor offense following her sentencing. As the Felony Information alleged, both Alexander and Amy Aquino were charged with a single count each of Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree and misdemeanor Persistent Nonsupport. The most serious offense, Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree is a class C felony which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.
Both Alexander and Amy Aquino, who were granted supervised release over Prosecutors’ objections, remain on supervised release pending their upcoming court dates.
The lead investigator was Detective Brandon Mansur, Juvenile Aid Section, Area II Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 
Photo credit: HPD

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