LIHU‘E — Jason A. Lubag Jr. was sentenced to 18 months behind bars and five years of probation Wednesday for sexual assault and kidnapping. Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Watanabe read a letter from the victim, in which the victim
LIHU‘E — Jason A. Lubag Jr. was sentenced to 18 months behind bars and five years of probation Wednesday for sexual assault and kidnapping.
Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Watanabe read a letter from the victim, in which the victim states she is not vengeful or demanding restitution, only requesting a no-contact order.
In the letter, the victim also asked Lubag to respect women, respect himself and to do what he must to not let anything like this happen again.
Lubag, 20, of Kapa‘a, was arrested on Feb. 9 on four counts of first-degree sexual assault, kidnapping, unauthorized entry and unauthorized control of a vehicle.
Lubag pleaded no contest to an amended count of second-degree sexual assault and to an amended count of kidnapping reduced from a Class A to a Class B felony on Oct. 18. The state dismissed the remaining charges.
County Deputy Prosecutor Lisa Arin said it was the relationship of the victim with the defendant and their families that resulted in the plea. She said the victim only asked for items from their shared residence to be returned.
Defense attorney June Chiharu Ikemoto presented Lubag as remorseful and noted letters of support. She emphasized that he is young, has no prior record and would do well on probation rather than an extended term in prison.
Lubag apologized to the victim, the community and his family. He said jail has proved to be a learning experience and that he is willing to abide by the sentence.
Watanabe said the word obsession was used to describe the relationship in the letter and ordered a psycho-sexual evaluation along with other programs as determined by the probation office. She told Lubag to comply with the terms, or he could face a 10-year sentence and a $25,000 fine for each charge.
If sentences were stacked and doubled as allowed in this felony case, Watanabe said Lubag could have faced up to 40 years with extended felony sentencing.
The plea deal calls for the mandatory minimum sentence of 18 months concurrent on both charges and felony probation. Lubag has been held at Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center since his arrest in February and will get credit for time served.
Lubag also has a $1,000 fine as part of his sentencing and is required to register with the State Sex Offender Registry.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@ thegardenisland.com.
