STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

ANNE LOPEZ

ATTORNEY GENERAL

LOIO KUHINA

DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SECURES CONVICTION IN CHILD SEX ASSAULT CASE

News Release 2025-51

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

April 4, 2025

HONOLULU – The Department of the Attorney General has successfully prosecuted Jose Salas for the offense of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of Fourteen, a Class A felony under Hawaiʻi law. The offense occurred when the victim was just 9 years old.

This afternoon, following an eight-day jury trial in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, an Oʻahu jury found Salas guilty of the Class A felony offense, along with four counts of Sexual Assault in the Third Degree, Class C felonies. 

“This conviction reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting Hawaiʻi’s children and ensuring that survivors of sexual abuse receive the justice they deserve,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez. “We are grateful for the tireless efforts of law enforcement, victim advocates and our legal team, whose collaboration made this outcome possible.”

The case was investigated by the Honolulu Police Department, with support from the Children’s Justice Center and the Sex Abuse Treatment Center. Deputy Attorney General Loren Haugen, of the Criminal Justice Division, served as the lead prosecutor on the case.

The trial was presided over by the Honorable Trish K. Morikawa. Sentencing is scheduled for July 10, 2025.  Salas faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison with the possibility of parole.

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Media contacts:

Dave Day

Special Assistant to the Attorney General

Office: 808-586-1284                                                  

Email: [email protected]        

Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

Toni Schwartz
Public Information Officer
Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General
Office: 808-586-1252
Cell: 808-379-9249
Email: [email protected]