Posted on: Thursday, August 2, 2001

Waipahu man indicted in sexual assault on child

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 23-year-old Waipahu man accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl and videotaping the acts was indicted by the O'ahu Grand Jury yesterday on 30 counts of sexual assault and three counts of promoting child abuse.

Shane A. Fernandez was charged with 12 counts of first-degree sexual assault, 18 counts of third-degree sexual assault and three counts of promoting child abuse. He was being in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Fernandez was arrested July 27 at the Stadium Market Place on Salt Lake Boulevard where he works as a maintenance man.

Police were looking for Fernandez after his ex-girlfriend said she found videotapes of Fernandez having sex with her 10-year-old daughter, according to a court affidavit.

Police said Fernandez lived with the woman and her daughter as their roommate in their Waipahu home.

More than 200 video tapes were confiscated during a search of the home, with at least three tapes showing Fernandez having sex with the girl, prosecutors said.

The alleged sexual acts began when the girl was between 7 and 8 years old, prosecutors said. But yesterday's indictment covers only the period from May 15, 2000 to July 28, 2001.

Bail for Fernandez originally was set at $1 million. But Circuit Judge Richard Perkins yesterday reduced the bail to $250,000, citing Fernandez' occupation and inability to pay the higher sum.

The indictment accuses Fernandez of knowingly subjecting a girl under 14 to having sexual intercourse and to performing other sexual acts with him.

He also is accused of producing, directing and participating in the preparation of pornographic material involving a minor.

In addition to the bail, Fernandez was ordered to not have contact with the girl and her mother.

If convicted, Fernandez faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of first-degree sexual assault and promoting child abuse, and up to five years for third-degree sexual assault.