HILO — A 34-year-old Keaau man is accused of the repeated sexual assault of a minor younger than 14.
Brandon Kalani Manoha Torres pleaded not guilty Monday to continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14, first-degree sexual assault and domestic abuse. Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto ordered him to appear for trial at 8:30 a.m. March 12, 2018.
Torres was indicted Oct. 25 by a Hilo grand jury. At the time, he was awaiting an Oct. 31 preliminary hearing for the same charges. The indictment rendered the hearing unnecessary.
According to the indictment, the alleged sexual offenses took place between Jan. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2015, while the alleged domestic abuse occurred Oct. 8, 2017.
The most severe charges, continuous sexual assault of a minor and first-degree sexual assault, are Class A felonies that carry a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, upon conviction. The domestic abuse charge is a misdemeanor.
He is free on $102,000 bail.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.