A 30-year-old Hakalau man is accused of sexually assaulting a preschool-age boy almost a decade ago.
A Hilo grand jury returned a 41-count indictment May 10 charging David K. Willett with continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14, 19 counts of sexual assault in the first degree and 21 counts of sexual assault in the third degree.
A bench warrant was issued for Willett’s arrest. Bail was set at $400,000 and terms of release, should Willett post bail, include that he have no contact with any minor younger than 18 or any witnesses in this case.
According to the indictment, the alleged offenses occurred between Aug. 1 and Dec. 5, 2008. The document states Willett had recurring access to the boy, who is still a minor, and that he “did intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in three or more acts of sexual penetration or sexual contact with” the alleged victim.
Continuous sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault are Class A felonies punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment upon conviction, while third-degree sexual assault is a Class C felony punishable by up to a five-year prison term. The indictment, however, alleges that since Willett could be sentenced for two or more felonies, he is subject to an extended term of imprisonment — in this case, life with the possibility of parole — “for the protection of the public.”
According to court records, Willett was sentenced May 16, 2011, to five years probation for felony domestic abuse and violating a protective order. He also was sentenced to a year in jail with all but time served suspended provided he comply with conditions of probation. He was resentenced Nov. 24, 2015, to a year in jail with six months suspended with his probation restarted for violating his parole by failing to appear in court, failure to complete a substance abuse assessment and testing positive for opiates.
Willett also was sentenced to six months in jail Dec. 9, 2015, after being convicted on two counts of violating a temporary restraining order.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
