HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR5-8-17OPA
C OU NT Y O F KAU A‘I
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.
Mayor
WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Managing Director
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
News Release
For Immediate Release: May 8, 2017
JUSTIN KOLLAR, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Tel (808) 241-1888
Fax (808) 241-1758
Kalāheo man charged with Welfare Fraud and Theft
Līhu‘e – Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar announced that felony information and non-
felony charges were filed against Daniel Joao, 29, of Kalāheo.
Joao is charged with knowingly obtaining or attempting to obtain public assistance
benefits he was not entitled to receive and is also charged with second-degree theft from the
State of Hawai‘i of benefits in an amount exceeding $750. Second-degree Theft is a class C
felony and Welfare Fraud is a misdemeanor.
Because of Joao’s prior criminal history, he is eligible for sentencing as a repeat offender
and faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years due to him having three prior
felony convictions within the past five years. Joao is also charged as a persistent offender,
making him eligible for an extended term of imprisonment of up to 11 years.
Joao has been arrested and is being held in custody at the Kaua‘i Police Department in
lieu of $15,000 bail.
Prosecuting Attorney Kollar stated: “Abuse of public assistance benefits must not be
tolerated. My Office will vigorously prosecute Welfare Fraud and Theft charges when
appropriate.”
Joao is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty of the charges beyond a
reasonable doubt.
###