Posted on: Sunday, June 23, 2002

Kona man being held in sex assault on girl

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

KEALAKEHE, Hawai'i — Police in Kona yesterday said they are holding a South Kona man in connection with the assault of a Washington state girl last year and on other related drug and sexual abuse charges.

Mark D. Caires Sr., 45, of Kealakekua, was held yesterday in the Kealakehe cellblock in lieu of $35,750 bail.

Lt. Henry Hickman said the man is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual assault on a "female child," two counts of promoting pornography to minors and six separate drug counts."

During the arrest, police said, they found a 5-foot marijuana plant on his property as well as cocaine, methamphetamine and pornographic materials, all of which were confiscated.

The case stems from a June 6 report from the Snohomish County sheriff's office in Everett, Wash., based on offenses that police said occurred last summer in Kona.

Caires is expected to be arraigned in Kona District Court tomorrow.