State briefs for October 13

Ex-officer accused of seeking sex
to sabotage case

HONOLULU — A former Maui police officer is accused of using his position to solicit sex in exchange for sabotaging a case alleging his target drove under the influence of an intoxicant.

A court document filed last week charges Brandon Saffeels with honest services wire fraud.

As a Maui officer, Saffeels had access to people’s phone numbers, addresses and criminal histories. Last year, he allegedly used that information to obtain an individual’s cellphone number and solicit sex in exchange for promising to provide false testimony in that person’s DUI case, U.S. prosecutors said.

He later tried to cover up what he did by lying to federal law enforcement officers about it, prosecutors said.

A Maui police spokeswoman said Saffeels was terminated last year.

Officials moving ahead with plans for new Oahu jail

HONOLULU — Officials plan to move forward with construction of a new jail on Oahu to deal with continuous inmate overcrowding.

Previous efforts dating to 1964 have not gone this far toward developing a new site for Oahu Community Correctional Center.

The facility would be built on state land in Halawa. The site currently houses Hawaii’s Animal Quarantine Station, which would move to a smaller part of the property.

A report is expected later this month detailing the proposed cost, size, funding options and number of misdemeanor detainees and other inmates who could be detained at the facility.

A 2017 environmental impact statement projected the cost at $65 million.

Gov. David Ige called the project “a very expensive undertaking,” but said record low interest rates and an amenable bond market provide an opportunity to construct the replacement jail.

The state Legislature is not expected to be asked for funds or approve construction bills related to the project during the 2021 session.

Calls to address overcrowding with a new jail have increased through the decades.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered increased urgency to take action on the jail, which has experienced virus outbreaks among prisoners and staff.
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald