Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeJudge lets child enticement suspect return to Arizona

Judge lets child enticement suspect return to Arizona

By Minna Sugimoto - bio | email

HONOLULU (KHNL) - An Arizona man, accused of trying to have sex with two young girls on Oahu, asked for permission Monday to fly back to the mainland while awaiting trial.

Rangie Alangcas didn't anticipate he'd be arrested and would have to stay in Hawaii for so long. The suspected Internet predator says he needs to go back to Arizona.

A man charged with electronic enticement and attempted promotion of pornography tries his best to hide from our news camera.

Rangie Alangcas is accused of going online and soliciting whom he thought were two 14-year-old girls for sex.

"We waive reading on the charge, enter a plea of not guilty, ask for a jury trial and a speedy trial," said defense attorney Victor Bakke.

State prosecutors say Alangcas didn't realize he was having sexually-explicit conversations with an undercover officer. Investigators say they arrested the 26-year-old when he arrived at the Pearl Kai McDonald's to meet the girls.

The criminal case extends this trip to Hawaii for the unemployed man from Arizona.

"He's got everything up there, apartment, car, everything else," Bakke said.

So the suspect, who has family living in a home on Apuu Street in Ewa, asks a judge if he can return to the mainland for now.

"Our plan really, your honor, is for him to go back, be able to take care of things, and then eventually move back here with his family," Bakke said.

"We would be objecting," Albert Cook, deputy attorney general, said. "Mr. Alangcas took it upon himself to fly from Arizona here to meet with who he thought were two 14-year-old girls. The state sees no reason why he shouldn't remain here throughout the trial."

The judge grants the defense's request.

"You're going to keep in contact with your attorney?" Circuit Court Judge Derrick Chan asked.

"Yes," the defendant replied.

Trial is tentatively set for May.