Hilo couple faces felony abuse charges

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YAMADA
Michelle Sarmiento
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Two Hilo residents were indicted for a string of domestic abuse incidents that occurred in September and October, according to county Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen.

Kyle Yamada, 42, was charged with unlawful imprisonment, six counts of felony domestic abuse, second-degree assault, attempted second-degree assault and misdemeanor domestic abuse.

Joleen Sarmiento, 37, was charged with felony domestic abuse and being an accomplice to felony domestic abuse.

The victim was a child or more than one child. Ages were not disclosed, although some incidents occurred in the presence of a minor younger than 14 — making them a felony.

Both Yamada and Sarmiento made their initial appearances Monday in Hilo Circuit Court.

Judge Henry Nakamoto denied Yamada’s request for court-supervised release without monetary bail and maintained his bail at $62,000.

Sarmiento was released after posting $10,000 bond.

Both were ordered to appear on Feb. 8 for further proceedings.