Kauai: Hanama’ulu Man charged with more than 200 felonies

LĪHU‘E — Pohaku Matsuura, 35, appeared in Circuit Court on Tuesday February 14, 2012 and entered not guilty pleas to 224 counts, including one count of Burglary in the First Degree, three counts of Identity Theft in the Second Degree, two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, eight counts of Credit Card Theft and Forgery, and 179 counts of Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information.

Between July 29, 2011 and September 13, 2011, Matsuura is alleged to have stolen confidential personal information of over 100 individuals such as credit cards and checks from hotels, businesses, and vehicles.  Matsuura would then use the stolen information to make unauthorized purchases. 

Burglary in the First Degree and Identity Theft in the second Degree are classified as class B felony offenses, which carry a maximum fine of $25,000 and ten (10) years imprisonment for each count.  Forgery, Credit Card Theft and Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information are classified as class C felony offenses, which carry a maximum fine of $10,000 and five (5) years imprisonment for each count.  

Matsuura’s bail was set at $250,000.  He remains in custody awaiting his March 5, 2012 jury trial before the Honorable Judge Kathleen Watanabe.