Former police officer pleads guilty to attempted unlawful sexual enticement of a 13-year-old boy

HONOLULU, Hawaii – James Dean Kalani Goeas, 63, of Waipahu, Hawaii, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of using a facility in interstate commerce to knowingly attempt to entice an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years to engage in unlawful sexual activity.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 9, 2020 before Senior U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor.

U.S. Attorney Kenji M. Price for the District of Hawaii stated that according to court documents and information presented in court, on March 23, 2019 and March 24, 2019, Goeas engaged in a series of online chats and telephonic text sessions with an undercover agent acting in the role of a 13-year-old male.  During their conversations, Goeas arranged to meet the underage male at Maukalani Park with the intent to engage in sexual activity.  Upon arrival at the park on March 24, Goeas was arrested and agents located both condoms and lubricating gel in his vehicle.  After law enforcement officers arrested him, Goeas admitted that, on multiple prior occasions, he had engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with young teenage minor males.

“These prosecutions demonstrate our continued commitment to holding those who attempt to sexually exploit our young people responsible for their egregious behavior. We will continue to seek justice in these cases to the fullest extent of the law,” stated U.S. Attorney Price. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.  It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.