A licensed marriage and family counselor in Hilo was indicted for allegedly possessing child pornography.
A Hilo grand jury indicted Jasun Sulla, also known as Jasun Sulla-Menashe, with a single count of third-degree promotion of child abuse, a Class C felony that carries a possible prison term of five years upon conviction.
The indictment states that on Feb. 27, 2018, Sulla was in possession of “electronically stored data … that contains an image of child pornography, and/or any pornographic material which employs, uses, or otherwise contains a minor engaging in or assisting others to engage in sexual conduct, to wit, digital media files on an Apple MacBook A118 … .”
A bench warrant was issued for Sulla’s arrest, and bail was set at $2,000. He hadn’t been taken into custody as of midafternoon Friday.
Sulla, an adult son of Hilo attorney Paul Sulla, has no prior criminal record, according to Hawaii court records. The Tribune-Herald contacted the younger Sulla and received a call back from Paul Sulla.
Neither commented for the record.
There are no complaints listed against Jasun Sulla on the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website. He is a 2013 graduate of Argosy University, which closed in March.
Jasun Sulla has a listing on the Psychology Today website with a blurb that states, “My ideal client wants to make effort to change patterns in their life that cause negative effects to themselves or others. They can be open to understand how their beliefs effect their thought process and action and I can assist in helping them take steps to modify beliefs in order to alter unhealthy behavior and emotions. We do not need to set large goals and expectations for change, it will be beneficial to even have small breakthroughs and realizations of one’s self. Therapy can be a long healing process as well as just short term inspiration and motivation.
“I am a certified anger management specialist and can guide clients in learning about the source of their anger and how to change their behavior in response to triggers. I have experience working as a substance abuse counselor as well as with clients who are recovering from crisis. I use an emotional focused approach and well as cognitive behavioral approach.”
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.