Police charged a 37-year-old Keaau man Friday with nine sexual offenses in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl April 17 at the Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy in Hilo.
Paul Andrew Banasihan Jr. is facing six counts of second-degree sexual assault and three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault.
The minor reported that an adult male staff member removed her from the classroom and took her to his personal vehicle, which was on the Youth Challenge premises, and sexually assaulted her.
Banasihan is free after posting $66,000 bail. His initial court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 15 in Hilo District Court.
The Youth Challenge program is a program by the National Guard to support at-risk youth through a five-month military-style residential program. Cadets, who are male and female high school dropouts, study to complete high school equivalency certificates while undergoing physical training and performing community service.
Lt. Col. Charles Anthony, director of public affairs for the Department of Defense in Hawaii, told the Tribune-Herald on April 18 that the alleged perpetrator is a male cadre staff member, which he said are primarily retired military personnel and current members of the National Guard.
Anthony declined to provide any additional information about the incident or the ages of the alleged victim or perpetrator, citing privacy issues. He did say academy cadets are between the ages of 16 and 18 and cadre staff are adults.
Second-degree sexual assault is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, while fourth-degree sexual assault is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.
A check of Hawaii court records turned up no prior criminal convictions for Banasihan.
Police ask anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Fetuutuunai Amuimuia at 961-2276 or Fetuutuunai.Amuimuia@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
