Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Pahoa man, 33-year-old Timothy DeCastro, was charged with felony assault related to an incident that occurred on September 24th at the Kea’au Shopping Center.

As the Complaint alleges, DeCastro, a repeat offender, who has felony convictions for Assault in the Second Degree and Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, was charged with Assault in the First Degree (intentionally or knowingly cause serious bodily injury to another person), a class B felony offense which carries a maximum penalty of ten (10) years in prison. If convicted as charged, DeCastro faces a mandatory prison term. DeCastro, who remains in custody in lieu of $25,000.00 bail will make his initial appearance today in Hilo District Court.

A review of court records indicates that at the time of the alleged offense, DeCastro was on supervised release pending revocation of his felony probation.

The investigation was handled by Puna Patrol and Detective Wendall Carter, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Heipua Ah Loy.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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 in East Hawai‘i or (808) 329-8181 in West Hawai‘i.#hawaiiprosecutors