New details revealed about allegations in harassment case against deputy sheriffs

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A criminal case that triggered the arrests of two deputy sheriffs for harassment involves derogatory comments about gay people, HNN has learned.

In March, the state Department of Law Enforcement’s Criminal Investigations Division learned of multiple misconduct allegations against sheriff’s deputies.

Last week, the division arrested 40-year-old Deputy Sheriff William K. Keahi for alleged reckless endangering and harassment. The next day, 46-year-old William Gary, was also booked for harassment. They both work at Honolulu’s airport.

Sources told HNN Investigates that Gary’s case involves accusations of him making derogatory comments about gay people toward a deputy sheriff, an inappropriate photo on a state computer, and an incident where he allegedly shoved the deputy.

HNN Investigates

Sources also told HNN that Keahi allegedly ordered the deputy to run into traffic without personal protective equipment, which includes a reflective vest, gloves and a whistle.

“Once there’s an incident like that, it should be reported and once it comes to us we turn around and order an investigation or direct an investigation,” said Jordan Lowe, Department of Law Enforcement director, who would not divulge specific details of the criminal probes.

“With the state, there’s zero tolerance in that type of conduct or behavior,” he added.

The two airport deputy sheriffs who were arrested have not been charged and are on leave with pay. The Department of Law Enforcement says they are innocent until proven guilty.

Meanwhile, Lowe says there are three separate criminal investigations involving nine sheriff’s deputies on paid administrative leave.

In a separate racial harassment case, two others — Sgt. Erich Mitamura and Alvin Turla — were arrested after allegedly targeting Black deputy sheriff Martin Horton. They worked at the state Capitol. Mitamura and Turla have not been charged.

“The career as a law enforcement that I thought I was going to have, that’s all in jeopardy because now I’m viewed as someone not trustworthy,” said Horton.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” he added.

Horton graduated in December and HNN Investigates has learned there are multiple allegations where the recruits from that class may have been targeted.

Despite the criminal investigations, Lowe hopes the public has “full confidence in our deputies.” He added, “We have hundreds of deputies that are dedicated professionals.”

Attorneys for the accused sheriffs had no comment.

Hawaii Government Employees Association also had no comment about the cases.

“We are not in a position to comment on any current investigations; in cases where employees are arrested for an alleged crime we are not involved as the employee needs to obtain personal counsel,” said Randy Perreira, HGEA executive director.

Details of a third criminal probe are unclear, but HNN Investigates has learned five sheriff’s deputies are under investigation and on paid leave.

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