Man wanted for child sex assault arrested on Mainland

HONOLULU — A Kauai man was arrested on the Mainland Friday for an alleged sexual assault against a minor in 2010.

The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Tacoma, Wash., located and arrested Joel Ibana, 29, about 7:30 a.m. A bench warrant was issued for Ibana’s arrest by the 5th Circuit Court in Lihue on Dec. 11, 2013.

A grand jury indictment charges Ibana with six counts of first-degree sexual assault, and one count of third-degree sexual assault. The alleged incident took place on April 4, 2010, and involved a female victim under the age of 14 years old who was subjected to acts of sexual penetration.

“At this point we cannot discuss any details of the case, but we are pleased the fugitive was apprehended and ready to see the case move forward,” said Kauai County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar.

It was the prosecutor’s office that requested assistance from the Hawaii Fugitive Task Force. An investigation developed information that Ibana was residing in Puyallup, Wash., according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

U.S. Marshals in Tacoma were notified and arrested Ibana without incident, according to a press release. Ibana was booked at the Tacoma Police Department, where he remains incarcerated and awaiting extradition back to Kauai. Bail is set at $100,000.

Kauai Police Department is a member unit of the USMS Hawaii Fugitive Task Force’, along with the other island police departments and State Sheriff’s Department.

“By combining our efforts through a joint task force we are better able to bring criminals to justice, regardless of their location, particularly in this case where we were able reach out to another state and jurisdiction,” said Assistant Chief Roy Asher of KPD’s Investigative Services Bureau. “This case is an example of that teamwork, and we are pleased to report that Mr. Ibana will be brought back to Kauai to face his crimes.”