LIHU‘E — Plea deal or not, assault on a police officer will still earn a defendant at least 20 months in jail. Joshua Kaimana Godfrey, 28, of Waimea, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault against a police officer Thursday in Fifth
LIHU‘E — Plea deal or not, assault on a police officer will still earn a defendant at least 20 months in jail.
Joshua Kaimana Godfrey, 28, of Waimea, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault against a police officer Thursday in Fifth Circuit Court. The incident occurred on July 20 when a Kaua‘i Police Department officer served Godfrey with an arrest warrant and was reportedly assaulted by him.
Chief Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano reminded Godfrey that the court would be required to carry out a mandatory minimum sentence of one year and eight months prison time in addition to any probation. Valenciano set the sentencing date for Feb. 23, to occur after a change of plea in another case.
In addition to the assault charge, Godfrey was indicted in August for first-degree burglary and second degree theft of a Lihu‘e residence. The trial date is Apr. 2 in that case.
Godfrey was in court Sept. 29 to have his probation revoked for the two new felony cases. He remains in custody at Kaua‘i County Correctional Center.
County deputy prosecuting attorney John Murphy said the state recommended a five-year open term to be mitigated and to run concurrent with sentencing in other cases. The state agreed to dismiss charges of resisting arrest and first-degree attempted escape in the assault case.
Bail remains set at $15,000, and deputy public defender Stephanie Sato requested a bail study be ordered as it was set previous to the reduced charges in the plea deal.
Godfrey has five prior convictions since 2003, including family abuse, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, burglary, liquor violations and violating a protection order.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by emailing tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
