Bail maintained at $472K for Puna man indicted on sexual assault, gun charges

HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) – A 32-year-old Puna man has been indicted on 19 offenses, including sexual assault, abuse of a family member, and firearms charges.

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Joseph Kekedi Jr. requested supervised release during his hearing on a grand jury warrant, but the judge denied his request and maintained bail at $472,000.

Police reports show Kekedi was arrested Aug. 28 after officers responded to a domestic incident involving a gun on Pahoa-Kapoho Road.

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Prosecutors say officers recovered five weapons, including an assault rifle, during a search warrant at the Pahoa home.

The most serious charge Kekedi faces is second-degee sexual assault. The class B felony offense carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

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Kekedi’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 10.