Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that an Ocean View man, 43 year-old John Lee Franks, who was wanted on an outstanding $150,000.00 Grand Jury Indictment bench warrant is back in custody. On Tuesday, March 7, 2022, Franks was escorted back to Hawai‘i Island by Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Investigators who extradited him from O‘ahu to face his criminal charges after his coordinated arrest by Honolulu Police outside of the Castle Medical Center in Kailua.
On February 23, 2022, Prosecutors indicted Franks before a Hilo Grand Jury with three offenses involving the sexual assault of a minor and secured the issuance of the $150,000.00 bench warrant. Franks, who was originally charged via Complaint in Kona District Court, was out of custody on $50,000.00 bail, which was reduced from $150,000.00 over Prosecutors’ objections. Prosecutors elected to present the case before the Grand Jury prior to his March 10, 2022 preliminary hearing in Kona District Court.
As the Indictment alleges, Franks is charged with two counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree and a single count of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years which occurred between November 2021 and February 2022. Sexual Assault in the First Degree and Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years are both class A felony offenses and carry a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison.
Franks is scheduled to make his initial appearance on Wednesday in Kona Circuit Court. He remains in custody in lieu of $150,000.00 bail.
The lead investigator was Detective Kevin Brodie, Area II Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kate Perazich.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please go to a safe place, and call a trusted friend or relative for support. You can call 911 to report the sexual assault to the police. The YWCA Hawai‘i Island 24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline has advocates available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support and advocacy. They can be reached at (808) 935-0677.
Mahalo to the Hawai‘i Police Department, Honolulu Police Department, and the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Criminal Investigations Unit for their coordinated effort in the arrest and extradition. 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.
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