MEDIA RELEASE
Hawaii Prosecuting Attorney Jay Kimura announced today that on June 24, 2010, a Kona jury found Miki Pousima guilty of four counts of Sexual Assault in the Third Degree, knowingly subjecting a person less than 14 years old to sexual contact. Each of these offenses is punishable by up to five years in prison, or five years probation with terms and conditions of probation which could include a year in jail. Mr. Pousima testified at his trial that he worked in masonry, tree trimming and for Big Island Methodist Churches in Hilo, Kona and Honokaa in the past. He is no longer working for health reasons.
The offenses resulted from reports by two juvenile victims who testified that the Defendant subjected them to sexual contact in 2002 and 2005. The jury convicted the Defendant after a two week long trial which began on June 15, 2010. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dale Yamada Ross represented the State. The Defendant was represented by Deputy Public Defender Peter Bresciani.
Sentencing has been scheduled for August 23. 2010 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Elizabeth Strance.