LIHU‘E — A Nov. 30 jury-trial date has been set in the sexual-assault case involving Anahola community advocate James K. “Jimmy” Torio, according to court documents and attorneys handling the case. Torio, 57, of Anahola, was indicted May 28 on
LIHU‘E — A Nov. 30 jury-trial date has been set in the sexual-assault case involving Anahola community advocate James K. “Jimmy” Torio, according to court documents and attorneys handling the case.
Torio, 57, of Anahola, was indicted May 28 on one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault.
A grand jury bench warrant was issued June 1, and Torio was arrested at his Anahola home June 2 as part of the Operation FALCON (Federal And Local Cops Organized Nationally) coordinated by U.S. Marshals.
Bail was ordered in the amount of $100,000 and arraignment and plea were June 2. Torio, through Deputy Public Defender Erick Moon, pleaded not guilty to all counts and requested a jury trial.
Moon also requested a bail study, court records show.
The court action was originally before 5th Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano, who scheduled the trial for 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe because Valenciano knows Torio personally.
Deputy Public Defender John Calma also had to remove himself from the case due to a conflict. Calma prosecuted Torio in another case while serving as a county deputy prosecuting attorney.
Former County Deputy Prosecutor Rosa Flores was appointed to handle Torio’s defense, and by agreement of all parties the trial date was moved from its original date of Aug. 24 to give Flores more time to review relevant reports and evidence, court records show.
The pre-trial conference is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Torio is accused of fondling and having non-consensual intercourse with a Wailua Houselots woman in February, according to court documents.
County Deputy Prosecutor Chris Donahoe is prosecuting the case, and said witnesses are still being interviewed.
Torio remains at Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center, Flores said.
