25 year-old Cohlby R.K. Espaniola of Mountain View was recently sentenced to twenty years in prison for Assault in the First Degree and Robbery in the First Degree.

The charges stem from an October 14, 2018 incident at a Hilo residence where a male party sustained multiple stab wounds. On December 19, 2022, Espaniola pleaded “Guilty” to the offenses of Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the First Degree. Robbery in the First Degree is a class A felony offense punishable by a maximum penalty of a twenty-year prison term. Assault in the First Degree is a class B felony offense punishable by a maximum penalty of a ten-year prison term.

On March 10, 2023, Espaniola, who remained out of custody for a majority of his criminal proceedings after posting bail, appeared in Hilo Circuit Court for his sentencing hearing. After being sentenced to a concurrent twenty-year prison term, Espaniola was taken into custody to begin serving.

The investigation was initiated by South Hilo Patrol and the felony investigation was led by Detective Kayne Keli‘i, Criminal Intelligence Unit, formerly of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Lee.

“Hawai‘i Island residents deserve to feel safe in their homes and community,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen in a press release. Waltjen continued, “Our Office will continue its ongoing efforts to hold violent offenders accountable for their actions. I’d also like to recognize the selfless actions of the community members who rendered aid to the victim and the hard work and diligence of the police officers who responded and investigated this case.”

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney