Yadao faces
10 years in prison
for sexual assault
of children

A philanthropist and father
treated children "worse than animals."

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

A longtime city refuse worker recognized by the mayor for his contributions to the Aloha United Way.

An uncle who opened his home to nieces and nephews, taking them on outings to the beach.

A father who was elated upon learning he and his wife were to become first-time adoptive parents.

These are the faces of Freddie Yadao Jr., 45, as described by coworkers and family members who cannot believe he was capable of the sexual assault charges filed against him. But that doesn't lessen what he did to three children, said Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario.

Saying he was not convinced Yadao understood or appreciated the seriousness of his actions, Del Rosario sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment yesterday for sexually assaulting two girls and striking a boy.

The defense had sought probation with credit for time already served. To spare the victims from having to testify against him, Yadao and the state reached a deal in January where he pleaded guilty to reduced charges of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree sexual assault, attempted second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Yesterday, Del Rosario expressed concerns that the nature of the offenses Yadao had initially been charged with were not punishable by probation. Had Yadao been convicted as charged, he would have faced a mandatory 20 years to life term.

Deputy Prosecutor Renee Sonobe-Hong, in arguing for a 10-year-jail term said the children were treated worse than animals. "No one deserves to be forced to eat their own vomit or sexually assaulted over a period of two years."

Given the victims' young ages, the position of care and trust and specific acts of abuse he admitted to, Del Rosario agreed that Yadao's actions exhibited "a high degree of cruelty" that he could only describe as "unconscionable."

"The victims suffered severe and psychological harm they will suffer for the rest of their lives."

Under the plea agreement, Yadao admitted to sexually assaulting one girl on two occasions -- in April 1997 when she was 7 years old and in July 1999 when she was 9 years old. He also admitted to sexual contact with a 12-year-old girl in June 1998 and striking an 8-year-old boy in June 1997 knowing he could cause bodily injury.

Del Rosario noted that Yadao, when he was arrested, denied any wrongdoing and indicated the children were liars. Yadao was also unwilling to cooperate with Child Protective Services' recommendations after the agency took custody of the couple's children.

In a statement, Yadao apologized in court to his children, to his family and especially to his wife Sharon Mae.

Before he was led out of the courtroom by a deputy sheriff, Yadao told his sobbing wife "This is not right ... this is not right."

William Harrison, Yadao's attorney said his client was referring to his inability to get alcohol and sex offender treatment while incarcerated. "He's not going to get treatment in prison; that's what's wrong."

The state has no money to provide sex offender treatment and the earliest he probably could get treatment is only after he is paroled, Harrison said.

Yadao has admitted to his wrongdoing and had sought probation so he can get the treatment he needs, Harrison said.

Sharon Mae Yadao, who was indicted along with her husband and pleaded guilty to abusing and endangering two of the children, was sentenced a year ago to eight months in prison and five-years probation.