East Hawaii Criminal Investigations Section detectives have charged a 42-year-old Puna woman with first-degree hindering prosecution and first-degree burglary. The arrest came during an investigation into a reported residential burglary in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision of Puna. 

Jacqueline A. Scott was charged Tuesday afternoon (December 11) with the offenses stemming from her alleged actions meant to stifle the investigation. First-degree hindering prosecution is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years of imprisonment. 

According to the law, individuals are subject to prosecution for hindering prosecution if they "prevent or obstruct, by means of force, deception or intimidation, anyone from performing an act that might aid in the discovery, apprehension, prosecution or conviction of another individual." Police will continue seeking prosecution of people who choose to deliberately thwart the efforts of investigators.      

The burglary investigation involved the removal of items from an unoccupied home. 

Scott is being held at the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $7,000 bail pending her initial court appearance scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in South Hilo District Court.