HCCC Inmate Formally Charged After Reported Assault of Adult Corrections Officer

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, 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.

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.

What instigated the assault is still unknown.