LIHU‘E — A defendant involved in a violent Nawiliwili robbery was given a year in jail and a five-year felony probation Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court. The B felony second-degree assault charge has a maximum 10-year sentence as four other
LIHU‘E — A defendant involved in a violent Nawiliwili robbery was given a year in jail and a five-year felony probation Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court.
The B felony second-degree assault charge has a maximum 10-year sentence as four other counts of theft and assault were dropped in the plea deal.
John Lukela Krause, 21, of Hanama‘ulu, appeared in custody. According to statements in court, he robbed a small group of visitors from a cruise ship in August, after they finished shopping and were walking through the Nawiliwili park area.
“We are pleased that once again, our judges are sending a clear message that these property crimes have to end,” said County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar. “These crimes degrade the trust we place in one another in our community and we will continue to place the full weight of this office behind the shared effort to create a safer and healthier Kaua‘i for everyone.”
In the altercation, Krause reportedly struck a visitor and took a bottle of whiskey that fell out of a bag. The wife of the visitor reportedly prevented Krause from taking a wallet that he tried to take from her husband.
State Deputy Public Defender Stephanie Sato said the defendant accepted responsibility for a matter by pleading guilty. The incident included two other co-defendants that are now on the mainland, she added, and that Krause was not the violent offender of the group.
She said Krause did not intend to involve himself in a crime and that alcohol was consumed prior to his incident unfolding with the two co-defendants.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Shauna Lee Cahill said she had not seen the separate investigation that was conducted by the defense. She referred to the police report that stated Krause was not responsive to questioning and believed to be passed out from consumption of alcohol.
There were reportedly three suspects, and witnesses said Krause struck one of the victims, Cahill said. He is not likely in a position to recall the events clearly, she added.
Krause changed his plea to guilty on Feb. 11. Charges of attempted second-degree theft, attempted third-degree assault, third-degree assault, and fourth-degree theft were dropped in the plea deal.
A motion to defer the sentence was denied on Wednesday by Judge Kathleen Watanabe. She ordered Krause to take anger management classes and undergo an drug and alcohol addiction assessment.
The judge said the defendant would be out in about six months and meet his first child. He missed the birth while in custody at Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center.
“When you get out in about six months, make sure you straighten up and fly right, and set a good example for your child,” Watanabe said.
