LIHU‘E — A man who allegedly burned down a tent with all his family’s belongings inside it, in the presence of his children, was sentenced to a year in prison for family abuse and other charges. Arsenio Angala, 46, of
LIHU‘E — A man who allegedly burned down a tent with all his family’s belongings inside it, in the presence of his children, was sentenced to a year in prison for family abuse and other charges.
Arsenio Angala, 46, of Kekaha, begged 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe for a chance to avoid prison time and work to get his family back, but she said his long list of convictions made that difficult to even consider.
Originally charged with family abuse, two counts of harassment, unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, third-degree assault and third-degree attempted assault, Angala pleaded guilty to the family abuse, unauthorized entry and assault charges.
State Deputy Public Defender Edmund Acoba, in arguing for probation and community service in lieu of prison time for his client, said Angala started a Hina Mauka intensive outpatient program for substance abuse, is on a wait list for bed space for the inpatient program, and completed an anger-management class.
Angala told Watanabe he is on a waiting list for a parenting class and will attend Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous classes.
Watanabe said Angala has felony convictions for weapons charges, burglary and battery in Nevada and California, has been in jail and on parole — but has no felony convictions in Hawai‘i.
“I cannot ignore your prior record, including serious felony convictions,” said Watanabe, adding that Angala’s common-law wife is one of the victims in the case.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chris Donahoe said the effect on and trauma to Angala’s two children, who witnessed Angala burn the family tent, justified his asking Watanabe for a year in prison for Angala.
“His past will always follow him,” Acoba said, but he’s trying to better his life.
Watanabe said Angala’s completion of the anger-management class and entering Hina Mauka are in his favor, but the prospect of family reunification is “guarded” at best and she is “very concerned” about Angala’s prior record.
She sentenced him to one year in prison for the three charges, with the terms to run concurrently, with credit for time already served.
“On this road to making things right, this is the first step,” said Watanabe, advising Angala to attempt to reunite his family after he gets out of prison.
