A state conservation enforcement officer on Wednesday was found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a park on Hawaii island.

Ethan Ferguson, 40, of Hilo was found guilty of two counts of second-degree sexual assault and three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. Ferguson was released on bail pending his sentencing, which is scheduled for April 24 before Hawaii island Circuit Judge Greg K. Nakamura.

A jury found Ferguson guilty of sexually assaulting the girl at Lalakea Beach Park on New Year’s Day last year.

Ferguson was on duty and in uniform when he found the girl holding a marijuana pipe and told her that he wouldn’t turn her in if she gave him sex, money or drugs.

After being charged last year, Ferguson was put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal case. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Wednesday it hadn’t yet received the record of Ferguson’s conviction. Department spokesman Dan Dennison said a decision will be made on Ferguson’s employment status after the official notification and review.

Ferguson was hired by the department in June 2013, even though Honolulu police had fired him for misconduct and recommended against hiring him.

Dennison said Ferguson’s mother, Hawaii Government Employees Association president Jackie Ferguson-Miyamoto, had nothing to do with her son being hired as a state conservation enforcement officer. “We have no record of her being listed as a reference,” Dennison said.

Hawaii County Prosecutor Mitch Roth praised the girl for coming forth to testify in the case.

“It took a lot of courage to testify,” said Roth, who also praised the prosecution team, led by Haaheo Kahoohalahala.

Dennison said the state conservation enforcement department has made changes to its vetting process for new hires. “This includes extensive background and reference checks,” Dennison said.