Deputy sheriff pleads not guilty to sex assault

Deputy sheriff pleads not guilty to sex assault

HONOLULU (AP) — A state deputy sheriff has pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually assaulted a female detainee at the District Court cellblock in Honolulu.

Benjamin Fonoti was indicted last week on second- and third-degree sexual assault charges. The indictment alleges the 30-year-old forced the detainee to perform oral sex on him and placed her hand on his penis.

Fonoti’s supporters packed into a courtroom Thursday to watch him deny the charges. His attorney declined to comment.

He has been free on $11,000 bail and is on unpaid leave.