Man gets 10 years for sex offense

LIHUE — Joel J.P. Ibana, 31, of Honolulu, was sentenced Wednesday to serve a 10-year prison term for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old relative.

Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe handed down the sentence after hearing arguments from First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer S. Winn and defense counsel Donald Wilkerson, according to a county press release.

KPD Detective James Kurasaki was lead investigator on the case.

Ibana pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault, a class B felony, and sexual assault in the third degree, a Class C felony.

“We are grateful for Det. Kurasaki’s hard work as well as that of the victim/witness counselors and all those who had a part in bringing this predator to justice,” Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar stated in the release.