Hilo Man Indicted For Alleged Sexual Assault of a Minor

An East Hawai‘i man faces several charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor.

Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced Wednesday, Feb. 16, in a press release that a Hilo grand jury indicted 25-year-old Daniel Harris-Rivera of Hilo with six offenses involving the sexual assault of a minor, which are alleged to have occurred throughout three years, between 2018 and February 2021.

On Feb. 15, Harris-Rivera was arrested on the grand jury warrant and later released after posting $220,000 cash bail. He made his initial court appearance Wednesday in Hilo Circuit Court.

According to the indictment, Harris-Rivera is charged with three counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree sexual assault and a single count of continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14.

First-degree sexual assault and continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14 are Class A felonies and carry a maximum penalty of a 20-year prison term.

Prosecutors provided notice in the indictment to seek an extended term if Harris-Rivera is convicted of two or more felonies, thereby subjecting him to the possibility of a life sentence.

The lead investigator in this case was Lt. BJ Sagon with the Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Juvenile Aid Section. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Heipua Ahloy.