KEALAKEKUA — The federal government wants to detain a Kailua-Kona man charged with sex crimes against children without bail while the case unfolds. ADVERTISING KEALAKEKUA — The federal government wants to detain a Kailua-Kona man charged with sex crimes against
KEALAKEKUA — The federal government wants to detain a Kailua-Kona man charged with sex crimes against children without bail while the case unfolds.
Michael Phillip Patrakis, 43, faces 27 counts of production of images of child pornography and one count of sex trafficking a minor.
His bond hearing is today in Honolulu. Patrakis is a flight risk and a danger to the community, so it’s appropriate to deny bail, said U.S. Prosecuting Attorney Darren Ching.
Patrakis was arrested Sept. 17 by the Hawaii Police Department, the same day a former roommate told them Patrakis had images of child abuse and possible pornography of the girls living in his home on his home security system. The HPD investigation was supported by the Department of Homeland Security.
In a Nov. 11 indictment, Patrakis was charged with counts including first-degree meth trafficking, first-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, four counts of first-degree promoting child abuse, two counts of second-degree promoting child abuse, abuse of a family or household member, third-degree sexual assault, kidnapping, second-degree reckless endangering, first-degree terroristic threatening and use of a computer in commission of a separate crime.
Several of the drug charges were for allegedly providing the drugs to the victim, while the promoting child abuse charges were related to the photos.
When the federal government charged its case, it focused on the child pornography and sex trafficking elements.
The alleged crimes began after March 4, 2015, when a 15-year-old girl, identified as JF1 in the affidavit, and her 2-year-old daughter, identified as JF2, moved into a rental room at Patrakis’ Kumu Place home.
The 15-year-old victim’s father paid her rent, including prepaying for three months, the affidavit reads. The court document says he said “his daughter, JF1, was 15 years old and (Patrakis) better keep his hands off her.”
The document alleges Patrakis took numerous sexual photos of both girls, including the older girl performing oral sex on him. He then used nude or partially clothed photos of her to advertise on various adult websites, the government said, for casual sex and prostitution.
“JF1 related (to investigators) how Patrakis arranged for her to have sex for money through online Craigslist postings, and the two shared the profits of his exploitation of her. While pimping JF1, Patrakis also supplied JF1 with drugs for her to use,” the affidavit reads.
She was allowed “to choose who she wanted to have sex with,” according to the affidavit.
Patrakis posted bond in November. It was originally set at $250,000, but was reduced to $100,000 by Judge Ronald Ibarra, in part because of Patrakis’ indigence, court records show.
While out on bond, Patrakis is accused of using the victim to acquire drugs. Patrakis also arranged for her to have sex Nov. 24 with three men in Waikoloa for heroin, as neither had enough money to purchase the drug, according to state and federal filings.
“I respectfully ask you to reduce the bail, I’m doing everything I need to do,” Patrakis told Ibarra during his bond revocation hearing.
He said he needed to be out to see his sons, who were with their mother.
After the federal case was filed, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sherry Lawson filed an order of nolle prosequi without prejudice in the case, effectively ending the state case and allowing for the possibility for it to be resumed.
The affidavit also says Patrakis and his two sons, ages 5 and 9, physically abused the 2-year-old girl, but he isn’t facing child abuse charges.
The hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. today.
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.
