Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Waikoloa man, 34-year-old, Andrew Woolen, also known as Andrew Wooley, was wanted on an outstanding Kona Grand Jury Indictment bench warrant is back in custody on Hawai‘i Island to face his criminal charges. Woolen was escorted back to Hawai‘i Island by Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Investigators, who coordinated the extradition from Kentucky.
As the Indictment alleges, Woolen is charged with eight (8) counts, including six (6) counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree, and a single count each of Sexual Assault in the Third Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the First Degree (having the care and custody of a minor, did cause or permit the minor to inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the minor’s body any substance listed in the Hawaii Revised Statutes as a Schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substance). The dates of these offenses range between October 2019 and January 2020.
The most serious offenses, Sexual Assault in the First Degree, are all class A felony offenses and carry a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison.
Woolen is scheduled to make his initial appearance on Monday in Kona Circuit Court. He remains in custody in lieu of $75,000.00 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 Chase Murray.
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 Warren County Regional Jail (Commonwealth of Kentucky), Hawai‘i Police Department, and the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Criminal Investigations Unit for their coordinated effort in the 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.