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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, September 20, 2009

Alleged knife threat by former Kauai cop detailed


By Paul Curtis
The Garden Island

LIHU‘E, Kauai — Former Kaua‘i Police Department officer Joseph G. Bonachita allegedly broke into the Wailua home of “South Park” creator Randolph “Trey” Parker and threatened both Parker and the late Lauren Kagawa with a knife, according to a grand jury indictment.

The alleged incident took place July 1, the same day Bonachita was arrested on a first-degree burglary charge for allegedly breaking into and remaining in Parker’s home, according to police arrest records and the indictment.

The same incident is referred to in the hand-written temporary restraining order document Kagawa filed against Bonachita, identifying him as an ex-boyfriend and Parker as a friend.

Bonachita, 41, of Hanapepe, was arrested Monday as a result of that grand jury indictment, which included additional weapons and ammunition charges. He is free after posting $25,000 bail, and his first court appearance is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sept. 29 before 5th Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano.

According to the indictment, Bonachita threatened by word or conduct both Parker and Kagawa with a knife, thereby committing the offense of first-degree terroristic threatening.

He is also charged in the grand jury indictment with two counts of illegally carrying either on his person or in his vehicle a concealed dangerous weapon, in this case a dirk, a dagger-like knife, according to the grand jury indictment.

Bonachita is also charged with possession of a firearm belonging to someone else without having a permit required to be in possession of such a firearm, and for keeping in a place illegal to keep such items unloaded firearms other than pistols and revolvers, a class C felony.

He is also charged with the misdemeanor offense of having firearm ammunition in an unlawful place to keep such ammunition.

Repeated attempts to reach Parker, both through Comedy Central and William Morris Agency, were unsuccessful.

Kagawa was found dead in the driveway of her Ho‘okena subdivision duplex in Puhi the morning of Aug. 17. A toxicology report found the cause of death to be a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol, and Kaua‘i Police Department investigators classify her case as an unattended and accidental death.

Bonachita has not been identified as either a suspect or person of interest in the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information on Kagawa’s whereabouts from late Sunday evening, Aug. 16, to early Monday morning, Aug. 17, is asked to contact KPD Detective Joe Adric, 241-1868, KPD dispatch, 241-1711, or Crime Stoppers, 241-1887.