LIHUE — A Hanalei man is looking at 15 years in prison after agreeing to a plea deal stemming from bail jumping and sex offender registry noncompliance. Robert Dewayne Willis, 39, was in 5th Circuit Court on Wednesday, to enter
LIHUE — A Hanalei man is looking at 15 years in prison after agreeing to a plea deal stemming from bail jumping and sex offender registry noncompliance.
Robert Dewayne Willis, 39, was in 5th Circuit Court on Wednesday, to enter a plea of no contest on two counts of providing false information and failing to complete his annual registration to the state sex offender registry in April 2010 and again in July 2011.
“I know what I did was wrong and I want to take care of it,” Willis said. “After discussing this with my attorney, I see this as the best option for me.”
A person convicted of a sex offense in Hawaii must report in person once every year during the 30-day period following their birth date, to the chief of police, or to a department or agency designated by the attorney general to inform them of their place of residence, work status and other required information.
Willis was initially arrested for 10 counts of noncompliance on Jan. 31, 2012. He made bail but was arrested and brought back to court on June 19 on charges of first-degree bail jumping after skipping his April 8, 2013, trial date on the sex offender registry noncompliance charges.
Judge Kathleen Watanabe, on Wednesday, set the matter for sentencing on Nov. 12. She informed the defendant that his prior record and having committed a felony within two years prior makes him eligible for extended sentencing — which could double the time in prison for committing multiple felonies.
