WAILUKU — A 19-year-old Kahului man who sexually assaulted a woman at the Harbor Lights Condominium parking lot in January was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison.

Second Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza handed down the prison term to Junior Joram for kidnapping and second-degree assault, which are lesser charges that were reduced in a plea agreement. Joram was also sentenced to five years in prison for third-degree sexual assault in the case, with the sentences to be served concurrently. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender.
Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Martin said the incident occurred in a parking lot at night when the victim was looking through her father's truck for something he had left behind. He said Joram took the victim to the ground between two cars where no one could see and proceeded to assault her.
He then attempted to drag her to a nearby beach to a more secluded place, but the victim was able to get away, Martin said.
After the incident, the 19-year-old woman needed someone to walk with her to her nearby job, even during the day, Martin said.
“She didn't sleep,” Martin said. “She feared for her safety even in her own home, even with her parents there and with the windows and doors locked.”
Martin asked for the 10-year prison term, saying that while Joram's sentence is a “fixed term” his victim's one is much longer.
“Her sentence is for the rest of her life.”
Martin said that although Joram seems to have reflected on his life, he’s not sure if Joram realizes how he has affected the victim.
Deputy Public Defender Adriel Menor said Joram is battling alcohol addiction, and asked for probation.
Menor said while the charges are egregious, there needs to be balance between the punishment and Joram's struggles.
During the Jan. 25 incident, Joram was on probation in a 2006 case for second-degree burglary and attempted second-degree burglary of Port Town Chevron on Kaahumanu Avenue in Kahului. He allegedly was intoxicated when he was arrested.
In accordance with a plea agreement, Joram was resentenced Thursday to five years' prison in the old burglary case. The term will be served concurrently with the new sentence.