A big day for plea-bargaining If it’s Tuesday at the Kaua’i County Courthouse, the Fifth Circuit Courtroom of Judge Clifford Nakea is full of pleadings. Tuesday is the day when people charged with serious crimes on the island enter into
A big day for plea-bargaining
If it’s Tuesday at the Kaua’i County Courthouse, the Fifth Circuit Courtroom of Judge Clifford Nakea is full of pleadings.
Tuesday is the day when people charged with serious crimes on the island enter into plea-bargains with county prosecutors.
This week:
– Christian Parado pleaded no-contest to one count of theft two, a class C felony. In the plea agreement, a second theft charge and an unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle charge were dropped.
Second-degree theft, a class C felony, holds a maximum sentence of five years in jail.
Parado, free on his own recognizance, will be sentenced May 17.
– John McMasters, originally charged with sexual assault in the first degree and abuse of a household member, pleaded no-contest to a reduced charge of fourth-degree sexual assault and abuse of a household member.
– McMasters, as part of his plea arrangement, also agreed to undergo a psychosexual assessment and pay for the testing out of his own pocket.
He is scheduled to be sentenced May 17.
– Jessie Bonachita pleaded no contest to multiple assault and terroristic threatening charges and a charge of tampering with a witness.
She faces sentencing on May 22.
– Arnold Bisarra, arrested last year after a confidential police informant made a drug buy at Bisarra’s house in Kekaha, went to jail directly from Nakea’s courtroom Tuesday.
Since his drug offense, selling crystal methamphetamine is statutorily non-probationable, Nakea sentenced Bissara to the mandatory minimum of 18 months in jail.
Bisarra was handcuffed and led away in full view of teary-eyed family members.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
