A Hilo grand jury has indicted a 45-year-old Papaaloa man for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
The indictment returned Wednesday charges Robert David Riha with four counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor between the ages of 14 and 16.
According to the indictment, the alleged offenses occurred between July 1 and July 31.
Riha was arrested Aug. 13 and is in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $40,000 bail.
According to court documents filed by police, Riha admitted to sexual acts with the teen, including intercourse.
Documents state Riha described the acts as consensual and no force was used. The acts allegedly occurred in Hakalau.
The victim told police Riha gave her gifts, smoked marijuana with her and attempted to “woo” her, documents state.
Riha appeared in Hilo District Court on Aug. 14, according to court minutes. Judge Kanani Laubach denied Deputy Public Defender Isaac Ickes’ request to grant Riha court-supervised release without bail and confirmed Riha’s bail amount at $40,000.
The judge also ordered Riha to appear Aug. 15 for a preliminary hearing.
On Aug. 15, Riha waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 48 hours of his initial court appearance, and Hilo District Judge Bruce Larson postponed the hearing until Aug. 28.
The indictment eliminates the necessity for the preliminary hearing and moves the case to Hilo Circuit Court, where it will be heard by Judge Greg Nakamura.
Riha will be arraigned and a trial will be set after he is re-arrested under the bench warrant accompanying the indictment.
First-degree sexual assault is a Class A felony that carries a potential 20-year prison sentence upon conviction.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
