LIHU‘E — “James at 15” and “James at 16” could be looking at five years behind bars. Lance Kerwin, 49, of Lihu‘e, the former child actor who played James Hunter in the popular TV series in 1977 along with other
LIHU‘E — “James at 15” and “James at 16” could be looking at five years behind bars.
Lance Kerwin, 49, of Lihu‘e, the former child actor who played James Hunter in the popular TV series in 1977 along with other minor acting roles throughout his career, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft last month at the state courthouse in Lihu‘e.
The maximum punishment for the class C felony is five years in prison.
His wife, Yvonne Kerwin, 28, of Lihu‘e, has requested a deferred acceptance of guilty plea for second-degree theft and two counts of unsworn falsification to authorities, court records show.
The pair appeared before 5th Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano, who has scheduled sentencing for July 22. Lauren McDowell, county deputy prosecuting attorney, represents the state.
Craig De Costa is the Kerwins’ attorney. When reached by telephone Wednesday, De Costa said his clients would not comment and he would not comment before sentencing.
The Kerwins were arrested in December 2009 and each charged with first-degree theft (a class B felony), second-degree theft (two counts), and unsworn falsification to authorities (four counts, misdemeanors, punishable by no more than one year in prison each).
Under the terms of Lance Kerwin’s plea agreement, two of the theft charges and all four unsworn falsification counts were dropped. In exchange for Yvonne Kerwin’s plea, two theft charges and two unsworn falsification (untrue written statements) charges were dropped.
Lance Kerwin in 1994 was accused of failing to pay child support in Washington state, and in 1995 was accused of second- and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, in O‘ahu state court, state court records show.
Lance Kerwin reportedly left the acting business in the 1990s when he moved to a U-Turn for Christ ranch in Perris, Calif., to turn his life around. After completing the program, he went on to serve in youth ministry at Calvary Chapel Temecula and was later chosen a few years ago to start and lead the U-Turn for Christ program on Kaua‘i, according to Kerwin’s personal testimony in Calvary Magazine.
• Paul C. Curtis, assistant editor and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com.
