A 53-year-old Kona man will serve up to a decade behind bars in connection with a 2021 domestic violence incident in which he attempted to strangle his wife with a dog leash.
Glendon Nakata was sentenced Friday by Kona Circuit Court Judge Wendy DeWeese to serve concurrently 10 years in prison in for first-degree attempted assault and five years for felony abuse of a family or household member connection with the Dec. 3, 2021, domestic abuse incident.
The sentencing came in the wake of a plea deal reached between prosecutors and Nakata that resulted in the dismissal of four charges: attempted second-degree murder, kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening and felony abuse of a family or household member
Had Nakata been found guilty of second-degree attempted murder, he could have been sentenced to up to 20 years incarceration.
Nakata has been held without bail at Hawaii Community Correctional Center since his arrest and will receive credit for time served.
“Today’s sentencing communicates our Office’s commitment to seeking justice for victims of domestic violence and holding offenders accountable for their actions,” Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen said in a prepared statement issued Friday. “I am extremely grateful and proud of the diligent efforts of the police, victim advocates, and prosecutors who work together to break the cycle of domestic violence by supporting, encouraging, and empowering survivors.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, Waltjen advises going to a safe place and call a trusted friend or relative for support. The Child and Family Service 24-Hour Abuse Hotline has advocates available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support and advocacy and can be reached at (808) 322-7233 in West Hawaii and (808) 959-8864 in East Hawaii. Victims can also call 911 to report the abuse to police.