LIHUE — A Hanamaulu man convicted of sexual assaults against a minor was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday in 5th Circuit Court. Alfred Kyle Lopes, 31, was charged with knowingly subjecting a minor under the age of 14
LIHUE — A Hanamaulu man convicted of sexual assaults against a minor was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday in 5th Circuit Court.
Alfred Kyle Lopes, 31, was charged with knowingly subjecting a minor under the age of 14 to sexual acts on three occasions between Dec. 1, 2009 and Jan. 31, 2010. He changed his plea to no contest on Jan. 9 to an amended charge on one count of second-degree sexual assault.
“There is no other way to say it, you’re are a threat to our community,” said Chief Judge Randal Valenciano. “It is part of my responsibility to ensure that you don’t prey on minors.”
That this crime was committed in a very short time after being released from a jail term presents an aggravating factor, Valenciano added. The defendant had a relationship with the victim and the family, which is also troubling, he said.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin said the plea agreement reduced an A-felony to a B-felony charge. In return, all parties agreed to an indeterminate 10-year prison sentence.
Arin said Lopes has nine convictions ranging from 2003 to 2013. He has not been successful at completing probation or other conditions ordered by the court, she added.
Court-appointed defense attorney Caren Dennemeyer said the plea agreement did not leave room for arguing sentencing.
