Police sergeant pleads not guilty, requests jury trial

An attorney for a Honolulu police sergeant accused of abusing his estranged wife entered a not guilty plea to the charges Wednesday in Honolulu District Court.

Sgt. Darren Cachola was charged with one count of misdemeanor abuse and two counts of petty misdemeanor harassment. Prosecutors claim he abused his estranged wife in the presence of a child on April 23.

The couple have two children and are living in separate homes as they go through a divorce.

The 23-year police veteran did not appear at his arraignment. His attorney, William Harrison entered not guilty pleas on his behalf after Judge Na‘unanikinau Kamali‘i granted a request to waive his appearance.

He remains free after posting $1,500 bail. Kamali‘i scheduled another hearing for June 3 in response to Cachola’s request for a jury trial. If granted, a trial date will be scheduled.

Harrison said Cachola has no criminal record and requested a return on the bail amount. The judge instead reduced Cachola’s bail to $200 to ensure “he participates as he is supposed to in the proceedings going forward.”

Cachola has an obligation to show up in court, she said.

Misdemeanor abuse carries penalties of up to a year jail and petty misdemeanor harassment carries up to 30 days in jail.

Cachola is on restricted duty after HPD removed his police powers. His wife has filed a civil lawsuit accusing him and the police department of negligence, conspiracy and infliction of emotional distress.

Cachola was stripped of his police powers and ultimately fired after a surveillance video in 2014 showing him hitting his former girlfriend at a restaurant. He got his job back when an arbitrator reversed the decision.