News

HCCC Inmate Formally Charged After Reported Assault of Adult Corrections Officer

Play
Listen to this Article
1 minute
Loading Audio... Article will play after ad...
Playing in :00
A
A
A

A Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center inmate was officially charged in connection to an assault that led to the hospitalization of an adult corrections officer earlier this week.

Marly Poai

Marly Poai, 23, of Hilo, a pre-trial detainee, is scheduled to make his initial appearance today in Hilo District Court for the offense of first-degree assault. The charge stems from an incident that occurred on Sunday, Feb. 20, in a housing module at HCCC.

“The ACO fell and lost consciousness for a short time,” Public Safety Department officials stated. “Medical staff were on the scene to immediately render aid while an ambulance was called to take the ACO to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. During this time the housing unit was secured.”

DPS spokesperson Toni Schwartz confirmed the officer was still hospitalized under observation as of Wednesday evening.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Review of court records indicates that at the time of the incident, Poai was already pending felony charges for another unrelated matter with bail set at $207,000 and felony probation revocation proceedings with bail set at $4,000. The prosecutor’s office added an additional $25,000 bail in lieu of the assault charge.

Poai is a felony repeat offender who has a prior conviction of second-degree assault. The 23-year-old is currently awaiting trial on charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, kidnapping, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, first-degree theft, second-degree reckless endangering, reckless driving, first-degree negligent injury, accident involving death/personal injury and probation violation.

The new assault charge is a Class B felony. Poai could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the charge. Additionally, the Hilo man faces sentencing to a mandatory prison term based on his prior felony conviction.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

What instigated the assault is still unknown.

Tiffany DeMasters
Tiffany DeMasters is a full-time reporter for Pacific Media Group. Tiffany worked as the cops and courts reporter for West Hawaii Today from 2017 to 2019. She also contributed stories to Ke Ola Magazine and Honolulu Civil Beat.

Tiffany can be reached at tiffany.demasters@pmghawaii.com.
Read Full Bio

Sponsored Content

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in-the-know with daily or weekly
headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Cancel
×

Comments

This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Big Island Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments