KONA, Hawaiʻi – Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen has announced that 47-year-old John Lee Franks of Ocean View has been found guilty of serious sexual assault offenses. The convictions stem from incidents involving a minor under the age of fourteen, which occurred between November 2021 and February 2022.
The verdict followed a two-week bench trial, presided over by a judge without a jury, in Kona Circuit Court during February 2025. On May 29, 2025, the Court issued its official Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law Following Bench Trial. These findings affirmed Franks’ guilt on charges of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years (Count 3) and the included offense of Attempted Sexual Assault in the First Degree (Count 1).
Franks remains out of custody after having posted $50,000 bail following his initial arraignment in March 2022. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 18, 2025.
Both Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen Years and Attempted Sexual Assault in the First Degree are classified as Class A felony offenses under Hawaiʻi law. These charges each carry a potential penalty of a twenty-year prison term.
The felony investigation was led by Lieutenant Kevin Brodie, formerly of the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s Area II Juvenile Aid Section, now with the Special Response Team. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray is prosecuting the case.