Dead Halawa Correctional Facility employee suspected of child sex assault
STAR-ADVERTISER FILE
An employee found dead in the staff bathroom of the Halawa Correctional Facility has been identified as Darwin Fernandez, 37, according to the Hawaii Department of Public Safety.
The Halawa Correctional Facility employee found dead Monday was scheduled for arraignment in Honolulu District Court Wednesday morning on charges of sexual assault of a young girl.
When asked, the Department of Public Safety officials said they were not informed by the employee or any other source before Monday’s death about on an arrest or the charges, and deferred further questions to police.
DPS identified the employee as 37-year-old Darwin Fernandez, who is a cook supervisor for the staff dining hall at the Halawa Correctional Facility’s medium security facility. He was found in the staff bathroom.
Police do not suspect foul play but the medical examiner has not released the cause and manner of death.
He was employed with DPS since Nov. 16, 2011.
Police arrested Fernandez April 30 in Kapolei on suspicion of one count of third-degree sexual assault.
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He was then charged Friday by complaint in Honolulu District Court with two counts of sexual assault that occurred between April 1 and April 30.
According to the complaints, Fernandez subjected a girl younger than 14 years of age to sexual contact by placing his tongue in her mouth and touching her buttock.
He was released Friday after posting $30,000 bail.
