A 25-year-old Kona man was ordered to spend a decade behind bars for an array of crimes committed during three separate domestic violence incidents.
Bronson Derouin-Loando was sentenced Dec. 16 by Kona Circuit Court Judge Wendy DeWeese to concurrent sentences in the three separate cases involving two separate female victims. According to prosecutors, the “domestic violence incidents” occurred May 2 and Jan. 24 of this year, and Nov. 19, 2021.
The Kona man pleaded no contest to a slew of offenses on July 17 as part of a plea deal meted with prosecutors in the three cases including felony kidnapping, and multiple counts of felony and misdemeanor abuse of a family or household member, as well as reckless endangering, unlawful imprisonment and criminal property damage. He also pleaded no contest in District Court to misdemeanor offenses related to conduct during adjudication of the Circuit Court case.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Wolf argued to the Court that Derouin-Loando’s conduct was potentially deadly.
“The basis for Derouin-Loando’s Felony Abuse of Family or Household Member charges was strangulation, which is a tool many domestic violence perpetrators use to silence victims, gain control, torture and possibly kill their victims,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf. “Victims of strangulation can experience both immediate physical and psychological damage, as well as long term effects including brain damage.”
The most serious of the offenses Derouin-Loando was sentenced for was the kidnapping charge, which carries a maximum 10 years behind bars. The Hawaii Paroling Authority will determine the minimum term Derouin-Loando must serve at a later date.
“This is a situation where a domestic abuser blatantly disregarded court orders throughout the pendency of these proceedings and even contacted one of the complainants while pending trial to seek to influence her testimony for these very charges,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “This sentencing sends a clear message that our Office will fight to hold domestic abusers accountable for their actions and seek justice for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, go to a safe place and call a trusted friend or relative for support. If you choose, you can call 911 to report the abuse to the police. The Child and Family Services 24-Hour Abuse Hotline has advocates available seven days a week to provide support and advocacy. They can be reached at (808) 322-7233 in West Hawaii and at (808) 959-8864 in East Hawaii.