Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar announced today that Samson W. Harong, 25, formerly of California, has entered a guilty plea for the sexual assault of a minor during a home burglary in Puhi, Kauai, last May.

On Tuesday, Harong appeared in front of Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe, and entered his guilty plea for sexual assault in the first degree, a class A felony, accompanied by his court-appointed attorney, Emmanuel Guerrero, and a Yapese interpreter. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Keola Siu represented the state.

Following the incident last May, Harong fled to the U.S. mainland. He was indicted by a grand jury on Kauai on Oct. 19, 2017, and apprehended in California by the U.S. Marshals Task Force shortly thereafter.

“Mahalo to Detective Darren Rose for his thorough and compelling investigation and also to the U.S. Marshals for locating and capturing this dangerous individual,” said Kollar in a news release. “We are satisfied knowing that he will never walk the streets of our community again.”

Harong’s attorney stipulated that his client will spend 20 years in prison as the result of the guilty plea. Because Harong is not a U.S. citizen, he faces deportation following his prison sentence. Harong, who remains in custody, will be sentenced on Aug. 29.