Retired officer allegedly admits to prior child sex cases

Federal prosecutors say a retired Honolulu police officer arrested last month in an internet child sex sting operation has a history of prior sexual contact with minor children.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson told U.S. Magistrate Kevin S.C. Chang last week that James-Dean Kalani Goeas, 63, made the admission to FBI agents when they arrested him.

Sorenson disclosed the admission in asking Chang to impose a cash requirement in any release bond for Goeas. The court’s pretrial services had recommended Goeas’ release on an unsecured signature bond pending further prosecution. Sorenson said the pretrial services officer who made the recommendation did not know about Goeas’ admission.

Goeas is accused of using the internet to entice a minor for sex.

Chang ordered the release of Goeas, who needs to post a $25,000 bond secured by either a cash deposit with the court or a security mortgage on his Waipahu home, within one week of his release. He also ordered Goeas to submit to electronic location monitoring, home detention and sex offender registration, and prohibited him from having contact with minors.

Goeas remains in custody at the Federal Detention Center pending the availability of GPS location monitoring devices and an inspection of his home.

The Honolulu Police Department says Goeas retired in 2015 after 28 years of service.

The FBI arrested Goeas and three other men March 23 and 24 for coercion and enticement.

The government says one of the other three, Ryan Cowley, admitted in his online communication with an undercover law enforcement officer that he too had prior sexual contact with minors. Prosecutors submitted a portion of the communication in which Cowley says he has had sex with an 11-year-old “little cousin” and sexual contact with even younger children.

An Oahu grand jury returned indictments Thursday against four other men arrested in the same sting operation, including a military service member.