Puna man on probation accused of sex assault – West Hawaii Today

A 32-year-old Pahoa man on probation for auto theft pleaded not guilty Thursday to sex assault charges.

Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota maintained Brandon K.C. Sanchez’s bail at $108,000 and ordered him to return to court for further proceedings on Oct. 9.

A Hilo grand jury on Wednesday returned a five-count indictment charging Sanchez with second-degree sexual assault and four counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. He was also charged with five counts of violating probation.

According to court documents filed by police, the alleged offenses took place on the evening of June 15 and the victim was a 21-year-old woman.

The woman reportedly told police she had just met Sanchez when he was a customer at the Hilo fast-food restaurant where she worked. She agreed to hang out with him and allowed him to drive her car.

Sanchez drove to Honolii, and at one point told the woman he had recently gotten out of jail and wanted to have sex with her, which led to her telling him no multiple times, according to the documents.

Sanchez allegedly then asked if she’d kiss him, to which she assented under the condition that he stop the pressure to have sex.

On the way back to Hilo, Sanchez reportedly touched the woman’s breast and genitals through her clothing, put his mouth on her breast, and slipped a finger inside her genitals — all against her will.

Documents state that Sanchez admitted to police that he touched the woman’s breast through her clothing once, but denied all other allegations.

Second-degree sexual assault is a Class B felony offense that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. Fourth-degree sexual assault is a misdemeanor that carries a potential one-year jail term.

Sanchez remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of bail.

Email John Burnett at john.burnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.