According to Maui police booking information, the 46-year-old Murashige, who has been the MCCC warden for 12 years, was arrested at 8:30 p.m. on suspicion of kidnapping and sexual assault by Allan Castro and Hal Fitchett, special agents for the state attorney general.

The alleged offense was reported by a woman inmate last week, and Castro and Fitchett began investigating the complaint on Monday, said First Deputy Attorney General Richard T. Bissen Jr.

"This is happening relatively quickly," Bissen said, noting that a decision on whether to charge Murashige will be made within the 48-hour period of Murashige's arrest.

Bissen confirmed the sexual assault allegations against Murashige include first-, second- and third-degree counts.

Murashige is among the senior wardens in the state's corrections system.

Several public safety officials, who declined public comment, expressed shock when asked about the arrest. The top-ranking adult corrections officer at MCCC, Maj. Alan Nouchi, is serving as interim warden.