Kekaha man gets 10 years for sexual assault

LIHU‘E — A Kekaha man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the sexual assault of a minor.

Ezra John Silva, 44, was sentenced on Nov. 30 after pleading guilty to Sexual Assault in the Second Degree.

“Our island is a safer place when individuals like Ezra Silva are no longer part of it. When the most vulnerable in our community are not safe, no one is,” said County of Kaua‘i Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like in a statement.

“As we enter the holiday season, we ask parents to be especially mindful of the individuals who have access to your children. In over 90 percent of child sexual abuse cases, the offender is known and trusted by the victim.”

First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Keola Siu represented the state of Hawai‘i in the case. Deputy Public Defender Marissa Agena represented Silva and Fifth Circuit Court Chief Judge Randal G.B. Valenciano presided over the case.

The case stemmed from an incident in July 2021, court records showed.

“An investigation by the Kaua‘i Police Department revealed that Silva had sexually assaulted a minor after providing the minor with marijuana and smoking it with the minor,” the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney said in a statement.

“The investigation was led by KPD Detective Jason Matsuoka. Silva has been in the custody of the Department of Public Safety since September 7, 2021. Silva is a convicted sex offender who previously was sentenced to 10 years in prison for Sexual Assault in the Second Degree, and five years in prison for Assault in the Second Degree in 2014.”