A 28-year-old Hilo man facing a strong-arm robbery charge pleaded not guilty Tuesday to intimidating and retaliating against the complaining witness.
Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara ordered Aaron Raymond Castro to appear at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 2 for a jury trial.
According to court documents filed by police, Jantzen-James Mata, the alleged victim in the robbery case, reported he was approached by Castro on June 25 at about 3:15 p.m. at the Hilo courthouse. Mata reportedly told police he was called out to fight by Castro, an acquaintance, while in the presence of two other acquaintances, Tyler Armitage and Justin Flores.
Documents state Castro referred to Mata as a “cop caller” and allegedly told him “you lucky you (expletive) breathing,” “you lucky you alive” and “I’m gonna break you other jaw.”
Armitage, whom police say corroborated Mata’s account, reportedly told officers Castro called him out to fight, as well, saying, “I broke your ass, too.”
In addition, Castro is charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree assault and second-degree theft for an alleged May 23 incident at Hilo Terrace Apartments on Waianuenue Avenue.
Court documents state Mata, 30, told officers Castro hit him and broke his jaw, then took Mata’s bag, which reportedly contained almost $400 in cash, and fled.
Castro, who has fought in local mixed martial arts and tough-man shows, entered not guilty pleas on July 22 before Hara on those charges and was ordered to stand trial in that case on the same date, Nov. 2 at 8:30 a.m.
Hara told Castro, who is free on $9,000 bail in the robbery case, he was to stay away from Mata. Castro was granted supervised release on the charges of intimidating and retaliating.
Second-degree robbery is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Second-degree assault, second-degree theft, intimidating a witness and retaliating against a witness are Class C felonies punishable by up to five years incarceration.
Mata also appeared Tuesday morning before Hara in an unrelated auto theft case as Castro waited in the courtroom gallery for his own case to be called.
Mata is in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.