A Kona grand jury indicted a 28-year-old Kona man for alleged habitual DUI and assaulting a police officer.
The seven-count indictment, dated Monday, charges Douglas K. Branch Jr. of habitually operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, refusing a sobriety test, driving after license suspended or revoked for DUI, driving without insurance and making a false report to police.
A bench warrant set Branch’s bail at $10,000, and orders him to have no contact with officers Stephen Kishimoto Jr. and Nicholas McDaniel, to not drink or take drugs, to not enter any drinking establishments, to submit to random alcohol and drug testing, and to not drive unless properly licensed and insured.
According to the indictment, the date of the offenses was Dec. 9, 2013. A police spokeswoman said Wednesday that Branch was pulled over in a traffic stop at about 4:05 p.m. at the corner of Alii Drive and Royal Poinciana Drive in Kailua-Kona. She said Branch pushed an officer, identified in the document as Kishimoto, and ran away. The indictment states Kishimoto was injured; he has since returned to duty.
According to court records, Branch has 13 prior convictions, none for felonies, including three prior convictions for DUI, on March 16, 2009; May 21, 2009; and Jan. 12, 2011. He also has been convicted of reckless driving, driving after license suspended or revoked for DUI, driving without insurance, and excessive speeding, which means he was driving 30 mph or more above the speed limit.
Habitual DUI and assaulting a police officer are Class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison. The other offenses are misdemeanors.