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LĪHU’E – Blaine Wailani Reyes, age 44 of Anahola, was sentenced Thursday to a 10-year prison term in Fifth Circuit Court by Chief Judge Randal N.A. Valenciano.
Reyes was convicted of Kidnapping and Robbery in the Second Degree, both class B felonies, for his commission of those offenses on October 22, 2012 in Kapaa.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin told Valenciano in open court that Reyes had tracked down the victim at Safeway, held her hostage for approximately an hour and a half while repeatedly threatening her life, all for the $600 he compelled her to take out of an ATM. In addition to the 10-year prison term, Valenciano ordered Reyes to pay back the $600 in restitution and to have no contact with the victim.
Reyes’ attorney, Rosa Flores, argued that despite her client’s prior history, he was trying to move on with his life and had made positive changes including currently being employed.
Detective Len Nitta led the investigation for KPD, while Lt. James Rodriguez, now retired Lt. Daniel Fort, and Detectives Ken Cummings and Shane Sokei all played important roles assisting in this case.
Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar thanked everyone involved in the investigation: “Without the support of dedicated investigators like Len, James, Dan, Ken and Shane, we would not be able to achieve these results. This was a violent, traumatizing incident for the victim and we are satisfied that Mr. Reyes will not be in a position to victimize anyone else for a long time.”
Reyes faces sentencing on Tuesday before the Honorable Kathleen N.A. Watanabe for three class C felonies: Theft of a Credit Card, Theft in the Second Degree, and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card.