Hearing set for man accused of sex assault

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A 23-year-old Hilo woman told police a man forced his way into her room, wedged her door shut and sexually assaulted her, according to court documents.

Documents state 34-year-old Sir Richard L. Canionero admitted he attempted to force the woman, who didn’t know the assailant, into performing a sex act on him at about 7:20 a.m. Friday.

The woman told police, according to documents, the man exposed himself to her and exclaimed, “You know you want it!”

The woman told police the intruder rubbed against her forcibly, removed her clothes without her permission, and touched her naked private parts, according to documents. She reportedly told officers she was able to stop him and put her clothes back on.

According to documents, the woman told police she negotiated with the intruder and performed an alternative sex act on him.

The woman identified Canionero, who was already in police custody on an unrelated manner, by a photographic lineup, documents state.

Canionero is charged with burglary, kidnapping, attempted first-degree sex assault, second-degree sex assault, three counts of third-degree sex assault and disorderly conduct. He made his initial court appearance Monday and was ordered by Hilo District Judge Andrew Wilson to appear at 2 p.m. Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.

Canionero remained in custody Monday at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $36,250 bail. Bail conditions imposed by Wilson include ordering Canionero not to contact, threaten or harm the complaining witness and to stay 100 yards away from her Kapiolani Street home.

Both kidnapping and attempted first-degree sex assault are Class A felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison upon conviction.

According to court documents, Canionero has no prior felony convictions.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.