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WAILUKU -- A judge kept bail at $140,000 for a homeless man charged with sexually assaulting a woman while she was unconscious.
Stephen Wichep, 42, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree sexual assault and third-degree sexual assault.
The sexual assaults occurred Feb. 21, according to a grand jury indictment returned last month.
During a bail hearing Thursday, Deputy Public Defender Danielle Sears asked for a bail reduction for Wicep, saying he has no prior convictions.
Deputy Prosecutor Iwalani Gasmen asked that bail remain at $140,000 for Wichep, who was born in Micronesia and has been on Maui for a year.
Although Wichep has relatives here, he has been homeless and unemployed, Gasmen said.
She said Wichep "took advantage of an unconscious female and sexually assaulted her."
Police are investigating Wichep in another sexual assault report involving another female, Gasmen said.
"We do believe he is a flight risk as well as a danger to the community," Gasmen said.
She said Wichep reported that he consumes alcohol twice a week and uses marijuana four to five times a week.
Second Circuit Judge Peter Cahill kept Wichep's bail at $140,000.
Wichep was ordered not to consume alcohol or illegal drugs.
If he posts bail, he was ordered to report for random testing and supervision. He also was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim and the Family Life Center in Kahului.