Maui man sentenced to additional 10-year term for kidnapping, terroristic threatening

News admin September 6, 2026 0 Comments

Maui man sentenced to additional 10-year term for kidnapping, terroristic threatening

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Maui man has been sentenced to another 10 years in prison for kidnapping, terroristic threatening and related firearms and drug offenses.

Christopher Steven Helmer, 37, was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty earlier this year.

Helmer was already serving a prison sentence for a separate armed carjacking.

Helmer was arrested in May 2024 after allegedly holding his girlfriend against her will and threatening to kill her, according to court records. He pleaded guilty on April 24, 2026, to charges including kidnapping, terroristic threatening, drug possession, and prohibited firearm possession.

According to Helmer’s father, his son was addicted to drugs and needed help.

While evading warrants on June 3, 2024, Helmer carjacked a visiting California couple on Piʻilani Highway, firing a shot and forcing them to flee to the Haleakalā summit.

Arrested days later, Helmer was convicted in February 2026 of second-degree robbery and unauthorized vehicle control, receiving a 10-year prison sentence.

At Friday’s hearing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ronson S. Ibarra argued that Helmer’s history of violent conduct and the seriousness of his crimes warranted additional prison time.

Second Circuit Judge Michelle L. Drewyer imposed the 10-year sentence.

The Maui County Department of the Prosecuting Attorney said the new sentence will run consecutively to Helmer’s existing 10-year term, bringing his total sentence to 20 years.

“This is an incredibly dangerous and violent individual,” said Andrew Martin, Maui County prosecuting attorney. “One who was a priority for us, a priority for the Maui Police Department, and to be able to secure this type of a sentence for this type of an individual is an important win, not for the department, really for the community.”