Hawai‘i Island police arrested and charged 35-year-old Joshua Ikaika Vierra of Volcano and a 17-year-old male juvenile for kidnapping stemming from an incident that occurred in Volcano just after midnight on June 8, 2022. Vierra was also charged with impersonating a police officer, assault, and a slew of firearms offenses.
The two conspired to assault the juvenile’s 44-year-old biological father who currently resides on Oahu. Upon the father’s arrival at the residence, he was confronted by Vierra who identified himself as a federal agent and placed zip ties on the victim’s wrist and ankles.
Over the course of several hours, the two suspects assaulted the victim. However, during a break in their activity, the victim was able to reach his cell phone and dial 911.
Upon arrival, officers saw the victim bound and gagged and arrested Vierra and the juvenile without incident. The victim was transported to the Hilo Medical Center for treatment. After being treated for his injuries, he was subsequently released to police custody and arrested for outstanding warrants.
In the course of the investigation, detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Division executed a search warrant on the residence and recovered a silencer, two handguns, and a rifle, all with no serial numbers, which are known as “ghost guns”.
After conferring with the County Prosecutor’s office, Vierra was charged with:
- kidnapping
- two counts of assault in the second degree
- impersonating a law enforcement officer
- terroristic threatening in the first degree
- use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony
- three counts of permit to acquire
- three counts of assembling a firearm having no serial numbers
- possessing a rifle with a barrel length less than sixteen inches
- possessing a silencer devise capable of muffling the sound of a firearm discharge
- six counts of possessing handgun magazines capable of holding a capacity of more than 10 rounds of ammunition
- possessing brass knuckles
- promotion of a dangerous drug in the third degree
Vierra’s bail is set at $270,765. He remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Monday, June 13, 2022, in Hilo District Court.
The male juvenile, whose name will not be published due to his age, was charged with kidnapping and abuse family household member. He is being detained by the State in a juvenile detention facility on Oahu.
