Puna man charged with sexual assault, theft and cocaine possession for Christmas Eve incident

Forty-five-year-old Elswood E. Noeau of Puna has been charged with sexual assault, theft of a cellphone and cocaine possession.

The charges stem from an incident involving his estranged girlfriend and occurred on Christmas Eve at a Hilo residence.

Noeau is charged with Sexual Assault in the Second Degree, Attempted Sexual Assault in the Second Degree, Unauthorized Entry Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree, and Theft in the Second Degree (obtained or exerted unauthorized control over the property of another, a cellphone, from the person of another), or in the alternative, Theft in the Fourth Degree (obtained or exerted unauthorized control over the property of another, a cellphone, the value of which did not exceed $250).

The most serious offenses, Sexual Assault in the Second Degree and Attempted Sexual
Assault in the Second Degree, carries a penalty of either a ten-year prison term or five years
probation and up to eighteen months in jail.

Noeau is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Tuesday
afternoon. He remains in custody in lieu of $65,500 bail.

The case was initiated by South Hilo Patrol and the felony investigation was led by Det. Clarence Acob, Area I Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ha‘aheo Kaho‘ohalahala, Supervisor of the
Sexual Assault Unit.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please 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 has advocates available 7 days a week to provide support and advocacy. They can be reached at 808-935-0677.