Scam of minister lands man in prison
A 33-year-old Aiea man found guilty of first-degree theft for a scam in which he stole more than $100,000 from a retired pastor was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison.
Circuit Judge Glenn Kim also ordered Leon Faamama to pay $158,000 in restitution.
Prosecutors said Faamama was a participant in Drug Court when he convinced the victim that he was being forced to pay exorbitant fees for treatment and housing and needed help. He told the retired 64-year-old Kalihi Baptist Church minister that he had filed a lawsuit against the court administrator and would repay all the money when he prevailed.
Faamama used the claim to make the pastor give him money over a period of 10 months, prosecutors said. During that time, the suspect’s demands drained the pastor’s bank accounts, used all of his home equity and even had him borrowing money from church members.
Bank officials notified police because of what they considered suspicious activity in the retired minister’s account.
Faamama was arrested on Oct. 20, 2012.
Kekaha man gets 20 years for sex assaults
A Kekaha man was sentenced Wednesday in Kauai Circuit Court to a total of 20 years of imprisonment for sexually assaulting two developmentally disabled juvenile males in separate incidents.
Circuit Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe imposed the sentence on Chad Weigle, 48, who was convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual assault.
The defendant has been held in custody at Kauai Community Correctional Center since Nov. 18, 2012.
"This individual preyed on the vulnerable and disadvantaged, and it’s our job to protect everyone from predators like him," Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said in a news release Wednesday. "We are pleased that this defendant will not be in a position to harm anyone else in this community for many, many years. We thank everyone who played a part in the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Weigle, and we hope that this sentence brings a measure of closure for the victims."
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Officer charged with slapping teen daughter
An 18-year veteran of the Maui Police Department has been charged with second-degree assault and two counts of physical abuse for allegedly slapping his 13-year-old daughter, police said.
Nelson Johnson, 46, was arrested on Monday. He was later released after posting $5,000 bail, police said.’
Johnson remains on administrative leave.
Police said the incident occurred Nov. 19 when Johnson allegedly slapped his daughter after an argument at her Wailuku residence. The girl fell back, hit her head on a wall-mounted air conditioner and suffered a concussion.
She was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center and later released in good condition, police said.
Hanalei man back in jail on theft charges
A Kauai man was being held on $157,000 bail after his arrest for the second time in three days for theft.
Police arrested Kyle Matsumoto, 36, of Hanalei on suspicion of second-degree theft Monday after a handbag belonging to a visiting couple from Japan was stolen from a beach in Haena.
Police said Matsumoto was free after posting $12,000 bail Saturday on charges of first-degree burglary and credit card theft earlier in the day.
Police said Matsumoto has an extensive criminal history that includes theft and criminal property damage cases.
“We will continue to work with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney to see these cases through to completion,” said Assistant Chief Ale Quibilan.
