Four Ocean View residents are facing a slew of charges for allegedly printing and cashing checks.
On May 14, Hawaii Police Department officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Tradewind Boulevard where they reportedly recovered numerous laptops, printers, ink cartridges, paper designed to print checks on, firearms, ammunition, and dried marijuana.
Three people were subsequently arrested: 26-year-old Renee Aigamaua, 33-year-old Jeremy Jensen, and 32-year-old Amber Hoapili, all of Ocean View in Ka‘u. Also present within the residence was a minor and an adult female who was arrested and released pending further investigation.
A fourth person, 42-year-old Ryan Terkelsen, who also resides at the residence, was taken into custody a few hours later after turning himself into police.
The following day, Hoapili was charged with one count each of first-degree forgery, being in possession of forgery devices, storage of a firearm with a minor present, and criminal conspiracy, according to police. Bail was set at $235,000.
Jensen was charged with one count each of first-degree forgery, being in possession of forgery devices, storage of a firearm with a minor present, ownership prohibited, and criminal conspiracy. Jensen’s bail was set at $245,000.
Both Terkelsen and Aigamaua were charged with 10 counts of being in possession of confidential personal information, five counts of first-degree forgery, and one count each of first-degree theft, fourth-degree theft, storage of a firearm with a minor present, ownership prohibited and criminal conspiracy. Bail was set at $486,000 each.
Each made their initial appearances before Kona District Court Judge Margaret Masunaga on Monday during which bail was maintained at $486,000 for Terkelsen and $245,000 for Jensen. The judge reduced Aigamaua’s bail to $50,000 and Hoapili’s bail to $10,000. Preliminary hearings were set for each person on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the judge continued preliminary hearings for Jensen and Hoapili. Hoapili was also granted supervised release pending a preliminary hearing slated today.
Terkelsen and Aigamaua each had preliminary hearings on Tuesday with the judge finding probable cause to support the charges, with the exception of a single count of fourth-degree theft against Aigamaua. Aigamaua and Terkelsen are scheduled to enter pleas to the charges May 27 in Kona Circuit Court.
Bail was maintained at $50,000 for Aigamaua and reduced to $375,000 for Terkelsen, according to court records.
Charges against other individuals involved with the group in the printing and cashing of checks may be filed later after the investigation is reviewed by the prosecutors, police said.
The above cases were generated in reponse to reports of increased criminal activity in Ka‘u, according to police.
Six wanted individuals were also apprehended:
• 23-year-old Jatty Daugherty for two counts of second-degree theft, two counts of habitual property crime, two counts violating terms of probation, and one count each of first-degree theft (during a state of emergency), unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, second-degree assault, and failing to appear in court;
• 41-year-old Ronald Kahihikolo for seven counts of first-degree forgery and seven counts of theft;
• 26-year-old Louis Sanchez for one count of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and one count second-degree theft;
• 41-year-old Hokualakaiimiikeokalani “Hokuala” Brandt for one count each of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, criminal contempt of court and for failing to appear in court;
• 39-year-old Jarret Amp for two counts of violating terms of probation, and criminal contempt of court;
• 37-year-old Gabriel Callo for a probation violation.
The Hawaii Police Department said it encourages anyone who thinks they may be a victim of identity theft or have seen unusual activity on their financial accounts to report it to police. Citizens are also encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646, ext 238, or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov with any tips on criminal activity in the district of Kaʻu that does not need immediate police response. If an immediate police response is needed or to file a police report, call 911 or the police department’s nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311.