LIHU‘E — A Lihu‘e man facing 44 felony counts of failing to comply with the state sex offender registry took a plea deal on his trial date Monday in 5th Circuit Court. Jayson Michael Toki, 39, of Lihu‘e, pleaded no
LIHU‘E — A Lihu‘e man facing 44 felony counts of failing to comply with the state sex offender registry took a plea deal on his trial date Monday in 5th Circuit Court.
Jayson Michael Toki, 39, of Lihu‘e, pleaded no contest to five counts. The charges ranged from failing to meet the annual registration requirement and failing to update address information.
Toki’s attorney, Shauna Lee Cahill, had requested an examination on Aug. 21. He was found fit to proceed on Sept. 26.
State Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin represented the state. She is prosecuting around 25 sex-offender registration violation cases that were arrested during a sweep between November and January.
The sweep was conducted by Kaua‘i Police Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
Judge Kathleen Watanabe said that each felony count carries a possible five year sentence and a $10,000 fine. With multiple felonies it is possible for the court to set aside the terms of the plea deal and impose extended sentencing.
If the court chose to sentence each charge consecutively and then double it with extensive sentencing, Toki could face a possible 50 years in prison, Watanabe said in court.
Toki is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 2, 2013.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by emailing tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
