Kekaha man sentenced to 10 years in prison for sex assault on a minor

Ezra John Silva, age 44 of Kekaha, was sentenced Nov. 30 to serve ten years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor. He pled guilty to Sexual Assault in the Second Degree.

First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Keola Siu represented the State of Hawai‘i and Deputy Public Defender Marissa Agena represented Silva. The Honorable Randal G.B. Valenciano presided over the case.

An investigation by the Kaua‘i Police Department revealed that Silva had sexually assaulted a minor after providing the minor with marijuana and smoking it with the minor. The investigation was led by KPD Detective Jason Matsuoka. Silva has been in the custody of the Department of Public Safety since Sept. 7, 2021. Silva is a convicted sex offender who previously was sentenced to ten years in prison for Sexual Assault in the Second Degree, and five years in prison for Assault in the Second Degree in 2014.

Prosecuting Attorney Like said, “Our island is a safer place when individuals like Ezra Silva are no longer a part of it. When the most vulnerable in our community are not safe, no one is.

“As we enter the holiday season, we ask parents to be especially mindful of the individuals who have access to your children. In over 90% of child sexual abuse cases, the offender is known and trusted by the victim.”

For more information on preventing child sexual assault, please visit:

YWCA: Prevention Education and Community Outreach

Kapi’olani Sex Abuse Treatment Center: Child Sexual Abuse

https://satchawaii.org/about-sexual-violence/child-sex-abuse/

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can call the YWCA of Kauai’s 24-hour hotline at (808) 245-6362. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you would like to report a crime to the Kauai Police Department, please call Kauai Dispatch at (808) 241-1711.