Maui man faces trial over nude shots of girl
A 61-year-old Maui High School teacher is scheduled for trial in August in Washington state on a charge that he took nude photos of a 4-year-old girl there.
Thomas T. Takeuchi was arrested May 22 at the Portland Airport in Oregon and taken to Whitman County, Wash., where he was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor by the Pullman Police Department. He entered a plea of not guilty on June 7 and his jury trial will be held Aug. 20 in Whitman County Superior Court. He was released on his own recognizance.
The maximum penalty for sexual exploitation of a minor — a class B felony — is 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Takeuchi has been a social studies and science teacher at Maui High School since 1994.
The Hawaii Department of Education said it is investigating the incident. The high school in Wailuku is on summer vacation. Classes will resume at the end of July.
The Whitman County prosecutor’s office said photos of the girl were taken between July and October 2011 when the child was 4 and Takeuchi was visiting the family. The photos were found in the child’s camera by her mother in March and turned over to Pullman detectives.
Kauai man found dead near vehicle
Kauai police on Tuesday recovered the body of a 40-year-old Wainiha man who was found near his sport utility vehicle, north of the Lumahai Bridge.
His identity was not immediately confirmed.
Police temporarily shut down Kuhio Highway in both directions between Lumahai Bridge and the Wainiha General Store to conduct an investigation.
Foul play was not suspected.
An autopsy will be performed.
Arson suspect arrested after bedroom burns
Kauai police arrested a Hanamaulu man on suspicion of first-degree arson Sunday after he reportedly set fire to his home.
The 23-year-old man is being held in the police cellblock in lieu of $20,000 bail.
Officers were sent to a Hoohana Street house shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday, after receiving a report of a man armed with a knife who was setting fires inside, police said.
Police were first to arrive, and the took custody of the suspect.
Firefighters from the Lihue station arrived at the burning one-story house at 10:17 p.m. and had the blaze extinguished by 11 p.m.
The fire was contained to the bedroom, where it appeared to have originated, fire inspectors said.
The suspect’s father reported minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene, according to a Kauai County news release. No other injuries were reported.
Damage to the structure and its contents was estimated at $60,000.
The incident remains under investigation.
