LIHUE — A Kapaa man convicted of forging his father’s checks was sentenced to prison for five years Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court. Jonathan Niehaus, 28, of Kapaa, was convicted of stealing three of his father’s personal checks and then
LIHUE — A Kapaa man convicted of forging his father’s checks was sentenced to prison for five years Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court.
Jonathan Niehaus, 28, of Kapaa, was convicted of stealing three of his father’s personal checks and then writing them out to himself in May 2013.
He admitted to using $7,000 in stolen funds to travel with his then-girlfriend and to purchase prescription drugs.
“This individual took advantage of his own family members and those in a position of trust to him and he did so repeatedly,” said County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar. His long pattern of criminal behavior and refusal to change that pattern makes prison the only remaining option to protect the community.”
Niehaus was arrested on June 13, 2013, after an investigation was completed by detective Shane Sokei of the Kauai Police Department.
Judge Kathleen Watanabe sentenced Niehaus to concurrent five-year terms for second-degree forgery. He was ordered to pay full restitution to First Hawaiian Bank.
County Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Vogt represented the state. Deputy Public Defender Stephanie Sato represented the defendant.
Niehaus has numerous prior convictions involving drug possession, assault, and terroristic threatening dating back to 2008. Watanabe re-sentenced him in another case for revocation of his probation.
