After he was arrested last month on charges of molesting two boys and released on bail, a former youth soccer coach called three boys and told them to lie to police and say they weren't molested, a city deputy prosecutor said yesterday.

"Thankfully, they did not do that," city First Deputy Prosecutor Douglas Chin said. "They spoke to their parents."

Rames, 65, of Wahiawa, was indicted by the O'ahu grand jury yesterday on charges of sexually assaulting six boys ages 7 to 12 during a span from 2002 to this year and trying to get three of them to lie to police.

But Rames' lawyer William Harrison repeated yesterday that his client is innocent of the charges. Harrison also said his client denies calling the three boys.

Rames was charged in the indictment with 15 counts of third-degree sex assault, first-degree sex assault and tampering with witnesses.

He's accused of molesting the boys and performing oral sex on two of them.

Two counts of first-degree sex assault related to oral sex charges each carry a mandatory maximum 20-year prison term. Rames' 10 counts of third-degree sex assault are each punishable by up to five years in prison and the three counts of witness tampering each carry up to a year in jail.

The indictment sends the case to trial. Harrison said Rames will plead not guilty when he is arraigned next week at which time he is expected get a trial date.

Rames was initially arrested Sept. 21 on charges of molesting two boys. He posted $150,000 bail on those charges, but was rearrested Thursday on new charges involving the other boys. Yesterday's indictment consolidates the two cases.

Rames is being held on $1.15 million bail, which was confirmed by Circuit Judge Derrick Chan yesterday.

In asking that the bail be approved, Chin told the judge that Rames contacted the three boys and told them to "lie" to police and say the molestation never happened. Chin said Rames told the boys the police were "bullies."

Chin said the victims were on Rames' soccer team. One of the six was also Rames' foster child.

The indictment cancels a preliminary hearing open to the public that had been scheduled for today to determine whether the prosecution has enough evidence to send the case to trial.

Chin said one reason city prosecutors sought the indictment in confidential proceedings was to shield the parents and youths from publicity.

"To parents, this is something they really want to keep private," he said.

According to a police affidavit, Rames told police after his arrest Sept. 21 that he touched two boys inappropriately.

Chin declined to comment on Harrison's earlier remarks that a frustrated Rames gave in to police who questioned him about the "same thing over and over again."

Rames gave a "flippant" response that police considered an admission of guilt, Harrison said.

Harrison yesterday said he's looking forward to getting a tape of that police interview as well as the statements by the boys.

Rames is at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center in protective custody, which is routine for high-profile suspects charged with sex offenses, Harrison said.

Harrison said Rames is "concerned" about the allegations, but "remains upbeat that ultimately these matters will be resolved in his favor."

At the same time, though, Rames was "very bewildered," Harrison said.

"When we went over the dates and the people involved, he was incredulous that these charges have been brought," Harrison said.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.