Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Hilo man, 64 year-old Jean-Marc Offergeld, was arrested and charged with offenses related to assaulting two police officers, failure to control a dangerous dog, resisting arrest, DUI, and possession of psilocyn on August 10, 2023. Police reports indicate that the incident stems from officers responding to a call about an unknown male asleep within the driver’s seat of a vehicle that was parked with its engine idling in the drive thru area of the Kino‘ole Senior Residences apartment complex in Hilo.
Offergeld is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon. He remains in custody in lieu of $48,000.00 bail.
As the Complaint alleges, Offergeld was charged with ten offenses including three counts of Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer in the First Degree, Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer in the Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (commonly referred to as “DUI” or “OVUII”), Opened Container Containing Intoxicating Liquor, Negligent Failure to Control a Dangerous Dog, Promoting a Detrimental Drug in the Second Degree, and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of psilocyn). Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer in the First Degree and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree are both class C felony offenses punishable by either a five-year prison term or four years probation and up to twelve months in jail.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was initiated by South Hilo Patrol. The felony investigation was led by the Crime Reduction Unit, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Soong.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
