Police Charge Volcano Man and Juvenile with Kidnapping, Assault, Firearm Offenses

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. 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 O‘ahu, police stated in a news release Thursday evening. 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 cellphone 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 16 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 in Hilo District Court.