County of Hawai'i Office of the Prosecuting Attorney

06/18/2026

Welcome to one of the newest members of our Office of the Prosecuting Attorney ‘ohana, Human Resources Technician Jade Hiraki (right), who is pictured here with her supervisor, Business Administrator Grant Nagata.

If you are interested in joining our Office ‘ohana or have any questions regarding any of our current vacancies, please contact us at (808) 961-0466.

06/09/2026

Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 36-year-old Kade Smith of Puna was arrested and charged following a fatal traffic collision on Kahakai Boulevard in Hawaiian Beaches on June 3, 2026 which resulted in the death of 30-year-old Korey Palmerton. According to police reports, Smith, who was operating a Toyota Camry, was attempting to make a left turn onto Niuhi Street when he struck a Honda CBR600F motorcycle being operated by Palmerton, who was later pronounced dead at Hilo Benioff Medical Center.

Smith made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon. Over Prosecutors’ objections, the Hilo District Court judge reduced Smith’s bail from $553,050 to $350,000 and ordered Smith to appear for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

As the Complaint alleges, Smith is charged with five counts including, Manslaughter (recklessly cause the death of another person), Negligent Homicide in the First Degree (cause the death of another person by the operation of a motor vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of an intoxicant, alcohol), Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (“OVUII”), Driving While License Canceled, Suspended, or Revoked, and No No-Fault Insurance. Prosecutors also alleged that Smith has a prior qualifying conviction comparable to OVUII within fifteen years of the date of the offense and was also operating a motor vehicle under a driver’s license suspension which elevates Negligent Homicide in the First Degree from a class B felony offense to a class A felony offense.

The most serious offenses, Manslaughter and Negligent Homicide in the First Degree are both class A felony offenses and carry a penalty of a twenty-year prison term.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The felony investigation was led by Officers Jerome Duarte and Johnathan Rapoza, Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matt Woodward.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

06/06/2026

Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 26-year-old Nicholas Andreoni of Honoka‘a was arrested and charged following two traffic incidents on the night of June 2, 2026. According to police reports, Andreoni, who was operating a Ford Escape, was measured at 111 miles per hour (“mph”) in a posted 50 mph zone and 117 mph in a posted 45 mph zone on Highway 190 before turning off his headlights and fleeing from police. 25 minutes later, Andreoni’s Ford Escape was observed to be traveling 114 mph in a posted 45 mph zone on Highway 19. On June 4, 2026, police arrested Andreoni at the Keahuolū Courthouse in Kona.

Andreoni made his initial appearance in Kona District Court on Friday morning. The Court increased Andreoni’s bail from $12,000 to $200,000 and ordered him to appear for a preliminary hearing on June 9, 2026.

As the Complaint alleges, Andreoni is charged with ten counts including, two counts each of Resisting an Order to Stop a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, Excessive Speeding (exceeded speed limit by 30 mph or more), Excessive Speeding (drove a vehicle at a speed of 80 mph or more), Driving While License Canceled, Suspended, or Revoked, and Reckless Driving of Vehicle.

The most serious offense, Resisting an Order to Stop a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, is a class C felony offense and carries a penalty of either a five-year prison term or four years probation and up to one year in jail.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The arrest was made by Officer Daniel Akina, Kona Patrol. The cases were initiated by Officer Dylan Chaves, Kona Patrol and Officer Adam Roberg, Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Aaron Masser and Matt Woodward.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

06/05/2026

Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 51 year-old, Mayapur Das Fiorentino, formerly of Hawai‘i Island, was arrested by Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputies on May 7, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. Fiorentino was later escorted by Hawai‘i County Prosecutors’ Investigators, back to Hawai‘i Island to face his criminal charges. According to police reports, Fiorentino had moved and was living in Miami Beach prior to his arrest.

Back in March 2025, Fiorentino was indicted by a Hilo grand jury on charges related to the sexual assault of a minor for incidents that occurred between March 2013 and July 2014.

On June 4, 2025, Fiorentino made his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court. Prosecutors filed a motion to increase bail. After hearing arguments by the parties, the Circuit Court increased Fiorentino’s bail from $150,000.00 to $400,000.00 and ordered him to appear for a Further Proceedings hearing on June 15, 2026.

As the Indictment alleges, Fiorentino is charged with four counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree (with a minor, who was at least fourteen years old but less than sixteen years old). Sexual Assault in the First Degree is a class A felony offense and carries a penalty of a twenty-year prison term.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was initiated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department – Hillsborough, North Carolina. The felony investigation was led by Lieutenant Patrick Aurello, South Hilo Patrol, formerly of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section, and Detective Kelsey Kobayashi, Area I Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Heipua Ah Loy.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

06/05/2026

Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 43-year-old Chezare Christopher Torres of Hilo was arrested and charged following a May 20, 2026 domestic incident at a Lehua Street residence. According to police reports, Torres struck his six-month pregnant, 29-year-old girlfriend multiple times to her face causing bruising and swelling to the bridge of her nose while in the presence of the couple’s two-year-old and sixteen-month-old children. Torres also struck the two-year-old with a baseball cap multiple times to his right arm and forehead causing redness and swelling. Police later obtained a warrant of arrest and Torres was arrested on May 28, 2026.

Torres made his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court on June 2, 2026. The Court maintained Torres’ bail at $85,000 and ordered him to appear for a further proceedings hearing on September 2, 2026.

As the Information alleges, Torres is charged with Felony Abuse of a Family or Household Member (“Felony Abuse”) (physically abuse a family or household member in the presence of a minor(s), who is a family or household member less than fourteen years of age), Felony Abuse (physically abuse a family or household member by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck), misdemeanor Abuse, Terroristic Threatening in the Second Degree, and Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree (knowingly restrain another person).

The most serious offense, Felony Abuse, is a class C felony offense and carries a penalty of either a five-year prison term or five years probation and up to one year in jail.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The felony investigation was led by Detective Kelsey Kobayashi, Area I Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Brittny Marino and Kirsten Selvig.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

06/02/2026

Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that the Court has granted Prosecutors’ motion to deny bail for 36-year-old Jacob Baker of Puna who was arrested and charged in connection with three Puna homicides and a series of criminal property crime offenses.

Baker made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon. In addition to determining that Baker be held without bail, the District Court also granted defense counsel’s request for an examination of fitness to proceed and penal responsibility and ordered Baker to return on August 11, 2026 for a status hearing on the examination.

As the first Complaint alleges, Baker is charged with Murder in the First Degree (intentionally or knowingly caused the death of more than one person in the same or separate incidents) and three counts of Murder in the Second Degree (intentionally or knowingly caused the death of another person). As the second Complaint alleges, Baker is charged with Burglary in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, Unauthorized Entry Into a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, Theft in the Fourth Degree, and two counts of Criminal Property Damage in the Fourth Degree.

Murder in the First Degree carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. As to the Murder in the Second Degree offenses, Baker is also subject to a potential penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole for each charge as Prosecutors have provided notice of an intention to seek an enhanced sentence pursuant to Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (“HRS”) Section 706-657 and an extended term of imprisonment pursuant to HRS Section 706-662.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The initial arrest was made by Puna Patrol. The felony investigations are led by Detectives Duane Rapoza, Daniel Tam, and Joseph Picadura, Area I Criminal Investigation Section. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Patrick Muñoz and Woodrow Pengelly.

“Mahalo to the Hawai‘i Island community and our local media partners. Your information, support, and assistance in spreading awareness made the difference in the apprehension of Jacob Baker,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “The filing of these charges is just the first step in seeking justice for the Morse, Shine, Carse ‘ohanas and our Hawai‘i Island community. I’d like to recognize the hard work of the men and women of the Hawai‘i Police Department, especially Detectives Rapoza, Tam, and Picadura, and Lieutenants Morimoto and Po‘ohina, Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Patrick Muñoz and Woodrow Pengelly, as well as our state and federal law enforcement partners who assisted during this investigation and the islandwide manhunt.”

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

05/23/2026

Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 43-year-old Earl-Lewis Camacho of Captain Cook was arrested and charged following a standoff with Hawai‘i Police Department officers on May 19, 2026 at a residence on the 85-4000 block of Mamalahoa Highway. According to police reports, officers later recovered three rifles, a Wi******er .22 Magnum rifle, a Marlin Fi****ms Co. .22 caliber rifle, and a Stevens Model 325-C rifle, and ammunition.

Camacho was scheduled to make his initial appearance in Kona District Court on Friday afternoon; however, he didn’t appear because he remained at Kona Community Hospital under observation with an anticipated discharge in the near future. The District Court found that further detention was warranted, with bail set at $711,000, and rescheduled the arraignment hearing for Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Prosecutors have filed a motion requesting to detain Camacho without bail.

As the Complaint alleges, Camacho is charged with Kidnapping, Carrying or Use of Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony, Felony Abuse of a Family or Household Member (abuse in the presence of a minor), two counts of misdemeanor Abuse of a Family or Household Member, two counts of Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree (dangerous instrument, firearm), three counts of Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited (prior felony convictions), and Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited (prior felony convictions).

The most serious offenses, Carrying or Use of Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony and Kidnapping, are both class A felony offenses and carry a penalty of a twenty-year prison term. Terroristic Threatening and Ownership Prohibited, are both class B felony offenses based on the facts and circumstances of the cases, as a firearm was used in the commission of the offenses, and carry a maximum penalty of a ten-year prison term. Felony Abuse is a class C felony offense and carries a maximum penalty of a five-year prison term.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The initial arrest was made by Kona Patrol. The felony investigation was led by Detective Aaron Yamanaka, Area II Juvenile Aide Section. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

05/23/2026

On behalf of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, I would like to send our best wishes and congratulations to the graduating Class of 2026. Graduation is an exciting time that marks both a culmination of all of your hard work and dedication as well as the start to a new beginning. Don’t be afraid to take a chance or make a mistake. Dream big. Stay humble. Remember where you came from and always challenge yourself.

I also wanted to take this time opportunity to remind everyone that as we celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments this graduation season, please remember to celebrate responsibly. If you plan to drink, get a designated driver. Let’s all do our part to make Hawai‘i Island’s roads safer.




















pcs.alumni

05/22/2026

Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 38-year-old Jesse Tamashiro-Aiona of Kapa‘au was arrested and charged following domestic incidents on May 17, 2026 at a Kynnersley Road residence and May 18, 2026 at a Kolonahe Street residence. According to police reports, Tamashiro-Aiona threw a hammer at his girlfriend and brandished a box cutter with the blade exposed. Officers later executed a search warrant upon a Kynnersley Road residence where they recovered an unregistered R***r mini-14, .223 caliber, semi-automatic rifle.
Tamashiro-Aiona made his initial appearance in Kona District Court on Wednesday afternoon. Over Prosecutors’ objections, the District Court judge reduced Tamashiro-Aiona’s bail from $73,000 to $20,000 and ordered him to appear for a preliminary hearing on May 22, 2026.

As the Complaint alleges, Tamashiro-Aiona is charged with Criminal Property Damage in the Third Degree, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree (use of a dangerous instrument, a hammer, mallet, or a box cutter), Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited (prior felony convictions), Permit to Acquire, and Registration Mandatory.

The most serious offense, Ownership or Possession Prohibited, is a class B felony offense and carries a maximum penalty of a ten-year prison term. Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree is a class C felony offense and carries a maximum penalty of a five-year prison term.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The initial arrest was made by Officer Dale Ku, North Kohala Patrol and the felony investigation was led by Detective Carrie Akina, Area II Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kate Perazich.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

05/20/2026