A Kaua’i jury has convicted a 64-year-old man in a sex offense case involving a child. After deliberating for a full day, the jury last Friday found Pacifico Claro guilty of continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age
A Kaua’i jury has convicted a 64-year-old man in a sex offense case involving a child.
After deliberating for a full day, the jury last Friday found Pacifico Claro guilty of continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14, a class A felony.
Claro faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The court is legally bound not to give Claro probation, according to Craig De Costa, Kaua’i County chief deputy prosecutor.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 6.
Claro remained free on supervised probation after the verdict, although Fifth Circuit Court Judge Clifford Nakea did order him to surrender his passport.
Deputy prosecutor Russell Goo, who tried the case, objected.
“I asked the court to take him back into custody,” Goo said, explaining Claro “still has a spouse in the Philippines. I am concerned there is no incentive for him to remain in this jurisdiction.”
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
