Police have charged a 27-year-old Hilo man for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman.
According to police, the woman contacted them Friday and told them she met the man, Paul Joseph Daub, after communicating with him online.
The woman reportedly told officers that Daub drove her to a secluded area in Panaewa and sexually assaulted her. According to police, she told them she tried to escape the vehicle but was pulled back numerous times.
Daub was arrested Saturday and charged with kidnapping and first-degree sex assault, both Class A felonies punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment upon conviction, and third-degree sex assault, a Class C felony carrying a potential five-year prison term.
Daub, who has no prior criminal record in Hawaii, posted $22,000 bail and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Dec. 8 in Hilo District Court.