MPD and FBI make arrests in connection with August Kula IED bombing | News, Sports, Jobs

WAILUKU – The Maui Police Department (MPD) announced Thursday the arrest of Jess Lee, 43, of Kula in connection with the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) discovered near Kaamana Street in Kula on August 7, 2024.

According to the MPD and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the arrest is the result of a coordinated action between the MPD and the FBI.

“The Maui Police Department, in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, continues to actively investigate the incidents of the past month,” said Police Chief John Pelletier. “This joint effort underscores our shared commitment to justice and keeping our community safe.”

“The investigation is still ongoing and specific details cannot be disclosed at this time,” The MPD announced the arrest in a press release on Thursday. “Our primary goal is to ensure that all those responsible are identified and held accountable. We thank the community for their patience and cooperation in refraining from speculation during this critical period.”

U.S. District Attorney Clare E. Connors on Friday announced the charges on which Lee was arrested on Sept. 18. Lee was charged with criminal possession of explosives and criminal damage to property with an explosive.

According to court records, Lee has a criminal record in Maui County dating back to 2000. Lee has been charged and convicted of assault and domestic violence in Maui County several times. In October 2018, Lee was charged and convicted of criminal damage to property. Lee was sentenced to 10 days in jail on October 18, 2018, after pleading guilty without a plea. In March of this year, Lee was charged with driving without a license and insurance. This traffic case is still pending.

According to the Justice Department, Lee’s first appearance in federal court is scheduled for September 23, 2024.

According to the complaint and affidavit, on August 7, 2024, MPD officers encountered several explosive devices near Kaamana Street in Kula. One of the devices, which detonated before MPD arrived, contained a mixture of compounds consistent with the remains of explosives. Lee’s fingerprint was found on a tape on that device.

“FBI laboratory analysis discovered and identified a latent fingerprint that matched known fingerprints of Jess Kiesel Lee. It was located on the adhesive side of a tape on one of the operational explosive devices found at the scene of the accident. This particular explosive device was found and recovered approximately 15 to 25 feet from the damaged railing.” says the criminal complaint against Lee.

“This particular explosive device is said to contain a mixture of strontium carbonate, aluminum and a component that matches potassium perchlorate,” according to preliminary analysis by the FBI laboratory.

If Lee is indicted and found guilty of the crimes he is charged with, he faces up to ten years in prison on the explosives possession charge and a mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years but not more than twenty years in prison on the criminal damage charge.

An FBI search of Jess K. Lee’s database revealed several prior criminal convictions under Hawaii state law. The search revealed prior convictions for assault and terroristic threatening. The results of the database query also showed that Lee’s registered address in Kula, Hawaii is approximately a five to ten minute drive from the accident scene.

According to the criminal complaint against Lee, on August 28, investigators received information about Lee from an online retail company that sells pyrotechnic chemicals and accessories. According to that company, Lee maintained an account with them. The account information included an email address associated with Lee as well as his registered address in Kula.

The charges and information contained in the federal indictment are accusations, and Lee is presumed innocent unless and until charged and proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Lee is not charged for the explosive device found near Lono Avenue in Kahului on July 23, 2024, nor for the explosion that damaged a car in Pukalani on August 8, 2024. Both are mentioned in the lawsuit filed on August 13, 2024, which charges Robert Dumuran for the explosive device found on July 23, 2024.

“The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the MPD conducted the investigation that led to the complaint and arrest, and the investigation into this matter is ongoing. Prosecution is being conducted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan D. Slack and Wayne A. Myers,” The Justice Department’s press release announcing the arrest states: