Hawai‘i Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section – Area II
Detective Donovan Kohara
Phone: (808) 960-3118
Report No.: 23-058392
Media Release
Hawai’i Island police would like to thank the public for their assistance for providing information that led to the arrest of 21-year old Keoni Sanderson and his mother, 54-year old Kimberly Sanderson, both of Ocean View. Keoni, who was wanted for several warrants and for questioning in other criminal investigations, was the subject of a previous media release asking for the public’s assistance in locating him.
Acting on information that Keoni Sanderson was in a vehicle in the area of the 75-1000 block of Henry Street in Kailua-Kona, police started canvassing the area at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023. Kona patrol officers quickly located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop during which it was determined the vehicle was being operated by Keoni’s mother, Kimberly Sanderson. As officers approached the vehicle, they observed a male, later identified as Keoni Sanderson, attempting to conceal himself within the vehicle.
As officers attempted to take Keoni Sanderson into custody for his outstanding warrants, his mother tried to obstruct officers by attempting to lock the vehicle’s doors. Officers managed to gain access into the vehicle at which point Keoni’s mother physically prevented officers from taking him into custody.
Officers were able to gain control of Kimberly Sanderson and continued their efforts to take Keoni Sanderson into custody, who had become physically aggressive towards officers. After a brief struggle, Keoni Sanderson was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Kealakehe Police Station.
Kimberly Sanderson was also taken into custody and transported to the Kealakehe Police Station.
Later that same day, after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Keoni Sanderson was charged with the following offenses and his total bail was set at $62,000.
- Six counts of first-degree bail jumping
- Three counts of violating conditions of release on bail
- Two counts of first-degree assault against a Law enforcement officer
- Resisting arrest
- Contempt of court
- Possession of an open container within a vehicle.
Kimberly Sanderson was charged with the following offenses and her total bail was set at $13,250.
- Obstructing a government operation
- First-degree hindering Prosecution
- Possession of an open container within a vehicle
- Driving without a valid driver’s license
- No motor vehicle insurance
The traffic related offenses stemmed from the officers’ observation of an open container of an intoxicating beverage within the vehicle and Kimberly Sanderson not having a driver’s license and valid motor vehicle insurance.
Both Keoni and Kimberly Sanderson were scheduled to make their initial appearances in Kona District Court on Monday, June 19, 2023.
The Hawaii Police Department would again like to thank the public’s assistance in help with locating Keoni Sanderson.
