The Maui News

WAILUKU — A judge kept bail at $150,000 for a Napili woman who was indicted on a charge of sexually assaulting a minor during a period of more than a year.

Iran Rodriguez Acosta, 33, has pleaded not guilty to continuous sexual assault of a minor under age 14. The crime allegedly occurred from August 2008 to November 2009, according to the indictment.

During a hearing Friday in 2nd Circuit Court, Deputy Public Defender Heather Wolfenbarger asked for Rodriguez Acosta to be released on supervision. She has no prior criminal history and the alleged conduct occurred more than a decade ago, Wolfenbarger said.

Deputy Prosecutor Karen Droscoski asked for bail to remain at $150,000, saying Rodriguez Acosta’s address and employment weren’t verified and she has no family ties in the state.

“Given she is from Mexico, she is a significant flight risk,” Droscoski said.

After the indictment was returned and an arrest warrant was issued Oct. 30, 2020, police had trouble locating Rodriguez Acosta, Droscoski said. She said police monitored the defendant’s activity on social media and learned she traveled to California multiple times while the warrant was active.

Police made checks for Rodriguez Acosta for more than a year, Droscoski said. “Her arrest only came after someone recognized her at a restaurant and called 911,” she said.

She said Rodriguez Acosta is charged with a felony carrying a 20-year prison term.

“The fact that the victim in this case was fearful to report this crime for a number of years should not be a basis to justify release,” Droscoski said.

Judge Kirstin Hamman noted that the defendant’s residence and employment weren’t verified and noted the severity of the charge in keeping bail at $150,000.

“The court is concerned that she may be a flight risk,” Hamman said.

A March 28 pretrial conference is set for Rodriguez Acosta.