Former High School JROTC Instructor Granted Bail Reduction

Waimea High School’s former JROTC instructor accused of sexually assaulting a former student was granted a bail reduction.

On Wednesday, March 17, Victor Aguilar appeared before 5th Circuit Court Judge Kathleen NA Watanabe via Zoom. According to court minutes, the judge granted reducing bail from $1 million to $250,000 after reviewing all arguments presented. A jury trial has been scheduled for June 21.

Additionally, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Keola Siu requested a stay away order from the complainant in this case. Defense attorney Alen Kaneshiro didn’t object to the request.

Aguilar, a US Army veteran, was indicted on March 10 over allegations that he had sexual relations with a former student on at least five separate occasions in 2020. Aguilar is facing five counts of second-degree sexual assault, each of which carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison.

Hawai‘i Department of Education began its investigation into Aguilar after alleged misuse of his DOE-issued electronic devices in February.

Aguilar retired as a major from the army in 1995 after 17 years of service. In November 1995, he began working as a JROTC instructor. He resigned from his position in February after he was made aware of the investigation.

Kaua‘i Police Department later obtained search warrants for Aguilar’s DOE-issued laptop, his US Army external hard drive, and his personal cellphone.

“…They (KPD) discovered a number of nude photos and videos of a former student as well as two sexually explicit videos where the former student and defendant are clearly identifiable,” according to court documents. “One of those videos took place in the JROTC classroom and the other took place at the defendant’s residence.”