The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced in a tersely worded written statement Monday it has terminated the employment of Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Officer Ethan Ferguson.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced in a tersely worded written statement Monday it has terminated the employment of Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Officer Ethan Ferguson.
“DLNR has no further comment on this matter,” the statement said.
On Feb. 22, a Hilo jury found Ferguson guilty of of two counts of second-degree sexual assault and three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault for the rape of a then-16-year-old girl Jan. 1, 2016, at Lalakea Beach Park in Keaukaha.
He faces a possible 10 years in prison when sentenced April 24 by Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura, but could receive probation, as he has no prior criminal convictions.
Ferguson was hired by DLNR in 2013, despite being fired for misconduct in 2012 after almost 12 years as a Honolulu Police Department officer, reportedly for falsifying records and lying to investigators about transporting a juvenile female runaway.
Ferguson, who been on paid administrative leave since being charged with the offenses on Jan. 8, 2016, and is free on $26,000 bail.