‘Sexual predator’
gets life term

He was already on parole
for assault when he
attacked another woman

---

By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.com

A convicted sex offender was sentenced to a life term with the possibility of parole for kidnapping a woman and attempting to sexually assault her while on parole for other sexual assault convictions.

Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario yesterday ordered Frank Loher, 42, to serve a mandatory minimum of 13 years and four months in prison for attempted first-degree sexual assault.

First-degree assault is punishable by a 20-year term but the court granted the state's request for extended and consecutive sentencing.

Loher turned his back on the judge as his sentence was announced.

In seeking a longer prison term, Deputy Prosecutor Thalia Murphy argued that Loher is "extremely dangerous" and is a repeat offender.

"He's a sexual predator who preyed upon young girls in this community for more than a decade," she told the court.

In 1990, Loher pleaded no contest to first-degree sexual assault, attempted first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping involving three victims. He also was convicted of escaping while awaiting trial on those charges.

Of a 20-year sentence he received, he served half, only to offend again, Murphy said.

What's significant is that two of his four victims were minors who had their babies with them. In one instance, he threatened both mother and baby to force the mother to submit to him, Murphy said.

In another instance, he grabbed the baby by the neck when the mother tried to escape.

"Those teenage girls with babies were especially vulnerable to him -- they were trying to protect themselves and their babies from him," Murphy said.

Although Loher completed sex-offender treatment in prison and continued while on parole, he later was terminated from the program for noncompliance.

In the latest case, Loher picked up the woman in the Keeaumoku Street area on July 29, 1999, and agreed to drive her to the airport. She fell asleep and later awoke to find he had driven to an industrial area instead.

He demanded sex, but when she refused he began tearing off her clothing. She fought back and managed to flee, calling 911 from a pay phone while Loher was still nearby.

Loher will serve his term consecutive to the remaining 10 years he must serve in the previous sexual assault convictions.

Loher intends to appeal.

His court-appointed attorney, Randal Shintani, could not be reached for comment.