A former Oahu teacher, Alden Bunag, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges involving the sexual assault of a minor and the production of child pornography. Yesterday, Judge Faʻauuga Toʻotoʻo handed down the sentence, which includes 20 years for continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14 and an additional 10 years for promoting child abuse in the second degree, with a five-year term for promoting child abuse in the third degree to be served concurrently, reported KITV.
Prosecutors have described Bunag, 35, as a sexual predator who took advantage of his position as a teacher. He was arrested following an incident where illicit pictures and videos were sent to another teacher on the mainland. Court documents reveal Bunag to have exchanged over 3,300 messages, including images and video files, with a teacher in Philadelphia, according to details from an interview with KHON2. In addition, Bunag admitted to recording sexual encounters with a 13-year-old male student and distributing the content.
During his tenure, Bunag worked at various educational institutions including Pearl City High School, Ilima Intermediate School, and also served as a substitute teacher throughout the Leeward Oahu District. His inappropriate conduct spanned from 2016 to 2022, positioning him in a frightening proximity to vulnerable children over several years. "Bunag is not only a sexual predator, but a former intermediate school teacher who preyed on one of his students," Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm told KITV.
This sentence arrives on the heels of a prior conviction earlier in the year, where a U.S. District Judge sentenced Bunag to 17 and a half years for federal charges related to his crimes. His state and federal sentences are set to be served concurrently. In a statement obtained by KHON2, Deputy Prosecutor Ayla Weiss's articulation of the case prompted Judge Toʻotoʻo to impose a lengthy prison term. The collective efforts of the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the HPD, and Judge Toʻotoʻo were acknowledged by Steve Alm for their role in bringing Bunag to justice.
