Maui policeman accused
of sex extortion posts bail

WAILUKU >> The Maui patrolman accused of trying to extort sexual favors from a female motorist has been released after posting $70,000 in bail.

Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza decreased the bail for Aaron Won to $70,000 from $100,000 yesterday after deputy public defender Jon Apo argued Won was not a "flight risk" and would stay with his mother in Aiea on Oahu pending his trial on Nov. 1.

Prosecutor Davelynn Tengan said her office opposed any reduction because of the seriousness of the charges and the way Won targeted a person in a vulnerable group. Tengan said the victim, a Hispanic female, is an illegal immigrant and does not speak English.

Won, who is on leave without pay, pleaded not guilty to the charges, including first-degree attempted sexual assault, which carries a mandatory 20-year prison sentence upon conviction.

Police alleged that while on duty and wearing a uniform on July 28, he stopped the motorist in West Maui and took her to a Napili police office, where he asked for sexual favors. When she refused, he arrested her and charged her with driving without a license, having no insurance and operating a motor vehicle with an expired safety sticker, police allege.

Later in the day, the woman spoke with a Hispanic police officer about the alleged threats, police said. The Maui Police Department investigated the threats and placed Won on leave on July 28.

Police Lt. Glenn Cuomo declined to comment on the victim's illegal immigration status, but he said the department's first priority is to make sure justice is served on her behalf.