Waikōloa Man Extradited From Kentucky to Face Sex Assault Charges

A Big Island man has been extradited back to Hawai‘i to face several criminal charges laid out in an indictment.

According to a news release from the county prosecuting attorney’s office, 34-year-old Andrew Woolen, also known as Andrew Wooley, of Waikōloa, who was wanted on an outstanding Kona grand jury indictment bench warrant, is back in custody on Hawai‘i Island. Woolen was escorted back to the Big Island by Hawai‘i County prosecutor office investigators, who coordinated the extradition from Kentucky.

As the indictment alleges, Woolen is charged with eight counts, including six counts of first-degree sexual assault and a single count each of third-degree sexual assault and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. The dates of these offenses range between October 2019 and January 2020. The most serious offenses, first-degree sexual assault, are all Class A felonies that carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Woolen was scheduled to make his initial appearance Monday, April 11, in Kona Circuit Court. He remained in custody in lieu of $75,000 bail as of Monday morning.

“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 news release said.

Lead investigator was Detective Kevin Brodie with the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area II Juvenile Aid Section. The case is being prosecuted by county Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, 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 at 808-935-0677 also has advocates available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide support and advocacy.