LIHU‘E — A 30-year-old Kapa‘a man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor.
LIHU‘E — A 30-year-old Kapa‘a man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor.
Ty Tsuneo Nakamoto was sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 13. Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe presided over the case, the County of Kaua‘i Office of the Prosecuting Attorney said.
Nakamoto was charged after an investigation by the Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) determined he had met a 13-year-old through a dating app. He sexually assaulted the minor at the minor’s home. The sexual assault was committed in December 2022, court records show.
The investigation was led by KPD Detective Darin Irimata.
“Protecting minors is a top priority for our office,” said County of Kaua‘i Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like in a statement. “We know that our island is safer when individuals that prey on the vulnerability of children are incarcerated.”
First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Keola Siu represented the state of Hawai‘i in the case. Attorney Craig De Coast represented the defendant.
Nakamoto had been in custody at Kaua‘i Community Correction Center since March 10 in lieu of bail. He entered a guilty plea on May 9 to Sexual Assault in the Second Degree, which is a Class B felony, court records show.
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
