A man is facing felony charges for allegedly posting nude photos of a woman on social media and demanding money from her to remove them.
A man is facing felony charges for allegedly posting nude photos of a woman on social media and demanding money from her to remove them.
Jerome Kaleokalani Kailiwai, 39, of Kailua-Kona was charged with first-degree violation of privacy, first-degree extortion and second-degree terroristic threatening. He was charged Monday at the Kealakehe Police Station, where he already was in custody after being arrested for seven counts of violating a temporary restraining order.
All offenses were committed against the same woman, said Chris Loos, media representative for the Hawaii Police Department.
Kailiwai posted nude images of the woman on social media Aug. 1, according to court documents.
Using text messages and voicemail, he demanded money to take the images down, Loos said. The victim, who was unable to specify how much money was demanded, refused to pay, Loos said.
Hawaii law requires that someone has to ask for at least $200 throughout 12 months to be charged with first-degree extortion.
According to Interpol, the average demand in similar cases is $500, although the agency reported incidents of up to $15,000.
Kailiwai also allegedly threatened bodily harm against the victim between Dec. 14, 2014, and April 15, according to documents.
Kailiwai posted bond of $7,500 in the extortion case and $14,000 in the TRO violation case. He’s scheduled for arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 19.
The extortion charge is a Class B felony carrying a possible 10-year prison term and a fine of up to $25,000.
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.