SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio imposed a $50,000 cash bail on Thomas T. Matsunaga who is accused of sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend and punching her in the back of her head.
Matsunaga, 57, was charged with sexual assault in the first degree, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, disturbing the peace, and domestic violence.
After a bail hearing on Monday, Judge Kim-Tenorio remanded Matsunaga to the custody of the Department of Corrections and ordered him to return to court for a preliminary hearing on May 17 at 10 a.m., and for an arraignment on May 22 at 9 a.m.
Matsunaga was represented by Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig while Assistant Attorney General Heather Barcinas appeared for the government.
According to the complaint, the victim told police that Matsunaga is her ex-boyfriend, and that they had been together for more than eight years, and have one son, but they are no longer in a relationship.
She said in the early morning of May 2, 2023, she saw Matsunaga outside her house and asked him, “What are you doing here again?”
Matsunaga replied, “Nothing.” She then carried on with her daily routine. Later, however, she said Matsunaga pushed open her bedroom door.
She said she was laying on her left side to avoid looking at him. When Matsunaga began massaging and caressing her body, she said she tried to stop him, but he put more pressure on her.
She said Matsunaga placed his legs on top of her legs while inappropriately touching her.
The victim said when she saw that Matsunaga was also holding a kitchen knife she got scared and stopped fighting back.
She said Matsunaga cut her short pants while she was laying on her stomach.
During an ensuing argument, they started spewing profanities.
She said Matsunaga walked up to her, splashed her with water from his cup, and punched her in the back of her head.
