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A Maui man convicted of kidnapping, terroristic threatening and firearms and drug offenses was sentenced Friday to a 10-year prison term that will run consecutively to a sentence he is serving in a separate armed robbery case.
The sentence gives Christopher Steven Helmer, 37, a combined indeterminate prison term of 20 years, according to the Maui County Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.
Helmer pleaded guilty April 24 to kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening, multiple counts of prohibited possession of a firearm and second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.
The case arose from an incident in May 2024 in which Helmer held his then-girlfriend against her will overnight and into the following day at a property in Honokohau Valley. Helmer pointed a rifle at the woman, drove her to a remote area and repeatedly threatened to kill her, according to the prosecutor's office.
The woman eventually contacted family and friends for help and was safely recovered.
Helmer was arrested May 11, 2024, on charges of kidnapping and first-degree terroristic threatening and was released after posting bond. A Maui County grand jury later indicted him, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
While Helmer was wanted on that warrant, a California couple visiting Maui reported that he robbed them at gunpoint June 3, 2024, on Piilani Highway near Haleakala and stole their vehicle.
The couple fled on foot and hid as Helmer searched for them and fired at least one shot. They then hiked through the night toward the summit of Haleakala and were found by hikers and park rangers nearly 24 hours later.
Maui Police Department officers arrested Helmer within days.
Helmer was convicted in February of second-degree robbery, first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and related firearms and drug charges. He was sentenced to a 10-year prison term in that case.
At Friday's sentencing, prosecutors asked that the 10-year term in the kidnapping case run consecutively to the sentence imposed in the robbery case. The prosecution cited Helmer's history of violent conduct and the seriousness of the offenses.
"I would like to thank our hardworking deputies and the detectives at the Maui Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division whose diligent work in apprehending and prosecuting this defendant ensures that our citizens are safe from his dangerous and violent conduct," Maui County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin said. "This sentence reflects our department's unwavering commitment to holding violent offenders fully accountable and to keeping Maui County safe."
Second Circuit Court Judge Michelle L. Drewyer imposed the sentence. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ronson S. Ibarra represented the prosecution.