Big Island police have charged a 28-year-old Puna woman with second-degree hindering prosecution in connection with the reported sexual assault of a female minor on the morning of June 22 in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision of lower Puna.

Police said Nohealani Cabarloc of Puna was charged late Thursday afternoon after she allegedly made false statements to Big Island police detectives investigating an acquaintance, Mauro Martin Ortiz, an individual police are seeking in connection with the sexual assault.

Cabarloc is being held at the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $500 bail pending her initial court appearance scheduled for Monday afternoon in South Hilo District Court.

Detectives are still looking for Ortiz. He is described as Hispanic, 5-foot-6, about 180 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. Police caution the public against approaching him, and advice them to call police if they see him.

Detectives assigned to the Police Department's Juvenile Aid Section are continuing this investigation.

Police ask anyone with information about the incident or Ortiz's location to call Detective Alston Kimura at 808-961-2278, Detective Lorenzo Artienda at 808-961- 8839 or the Police Department's nonemergency number at 808-935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All CrimeStoppers calls are kept confidential.