Kona man sentenced to 10 years in prison for domestic violence against two women

In Kona Circuit Court on Dec. 16, 2022, Bronson Derouin Loando, 25 of Kona, was sentenced to a 10-year prison term in relation to three separate Kona domestic violence incidents involving two young women, according to Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.

On July 17, 2022, Derouin-Loando pleaded “no contest” to kidnapping and multiple charges of  domestic violence which spanned three cases before the Circuit Court.

On Oct. 3, 2022, he pleaded  “no contest” to a misdemeanor case before the District Court that involved related charges of witness tampering, violation of Circuit Court bail orders and violations of an Order for Protection. 

The most serious offense, kidnapping, is a class B felony offense which carries a maximum  penalty of a 10-year prison term.

Derouin-Loando also pled to two charges of Felony Abuse of a Family or Household Member in relation to a May 2, 2022 incident; a single charge each of Criminal Property Damage in the Third Degree, Reckless Endangering in the Second Degree and misdemeanor Abuse of a  Family or Household Member in relation to a Jan. 24, 2022 incident; and two counts of misdemeanor Abuse of a Family or Household Member, and a single count each of Attempted Felony Abuse of a  Family or Household Member and Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree in relation to a Nov. 19, 2021 incident.

He also pled before the District Court to a single charge each of Witness Tampering,  Contempt of Court and Violation of an Order for Protection related to conduct that took place during the pendency of his Circuit Court cases. 

“This is a situation where a domestic abuser blatantly disregarded court orders throughout the  pendency of these proceedings and even contacted one of the complainants while pending trial to seek to influence her testimony for these very charges,” Waltjen said. “This sentencing sends a clear message that our office will fight to hold domestic abusers accountable for their  actions and seek justice for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence.” 

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Wolf argued to the Court that Derouin-Loando’s conduct was  potentially deadly.

“The basis for Derouin-Loando’s Felony Abuse of Family or Household Member charges was strangulation, which is a tool many domestic violence perpetrators use to silence victims, gain control, torture and possibly kill their victims,” Wolf said. “Victims of strangulation can experience both immediate physical and psychological damage, as well as long term effects including brain damage.” 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please go to a safe place and call  a trusted friend or relative for support. If you choose, you can call 911 to report the abuse to the police. The Child and Family Services 24-Hour Abuse Hotline has advocates available seven days a week to provide support and advocacy. They can be reached at 808-322-7233 in West Hawai‘i and at 808-959- 8864 in East Hawai‘i.