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A 43-year-old man from Kihei is facing up to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Thursday to robbing a Maui bank in August 2025.
According to U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson, Justin Nelson is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 18 before Senior U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor.
According to court records and previous reports, Nelson entered the First Hawaiian Bank branch on East Lipoa Street in Kihei on Aug. 27, 2025, wearing a black hoodie, jeans and a mask. He was carrying a white ABC store bag and what appeared to be a handgun but turned out to be a black airsoft pistol.
Nelson approached the bank tellers, pointed the weapon at one of them and demanded cash. Believing the pistol was a real handgun, the tellers gave Nelson $4,885.
Nelson fled on foot with the white bag containing the money. Bystanders reported he was possibly connected to a white Kia SUV that had been spotted nearby.
Maui police officers found the Kia near Kihei Texaco but did not find Nelson inside. Tips then led officers to Akamai Coffee, the Azeka Makai shopping center and eventually Uluniu Road, where Nelson was spotted running along the beach near the VFW Hall.
After a foot pursuit, police found Nelson emerging from brush near Yee's Orchard and arrested without incident. At the time of his arrest, Nelson had some of the stolen cash and the airsoft pistol in his possession.
Sorenson said Nelson faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.