MEDIA RELEASE

Cheyenne James Gaspar

A Kona man has been charged with assault in connection with a confrontation on a commercial dive boat.

In response to a 12:04 p.m. call Tuesday (March 11), officers learned that an unknown man had reportedly boarded a boat in waters off Kohanaiki Beach Park while a dive tour was in progress. He reportedly argued with the 54-year-old male captain, punched him and then jumped off the boat.

Police investigation led to the the identity of a suspect, 39-year-old Cheyenne James Gaspar of Kailua-Kona, who turned himself in at the Kona police station Thursday (March 13). He was arrested and charged with third-degree assault and then released from custody after posting $1,000 bail.