Repeatedly Accused Individual Faces New Charges for Alleged Sexual Assault (Volcano Man)
Jim Taylor Indicted for Third Time in Four-Year-Old Sexual Assault Case
Jim Taylor, alias Alex Daniel Mejia Taylor, a 50-year-old resident of Volcano, has found himself in hot water once again. This time, he's been indicted for the third time in connection with an alleged sexual assault case that happened over four years ago in the victim's front yard.
The latest indictment, issued by a Hilo grand jury on April 16, comes 12 days after the second indictment from May 17, 2023, was thrown out. Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota dismissed the second indictment due to the use of incompetent evidence.
This new indictment charges Taylor with attempted first-degree sex assault, two counts of first-degree sex assault, third-degree sex assault, kidnapping, and third-degree assault - the same charges as in the previous two indictments. Taylor's bail has been set at $187,000, matching his original bail in the first case.
The incident is said to have occurred in the early morning hours of April 11, 2021. During the proceedings, one or more grand jurors, during the closed-door hearings, expressed gratitude and appreciation for the police witnesses during Police Appreciation Week. This alleged bias led to the dismissal of the indictment, but it was without prejudice, allowing the state to re-indict Taylor.
The second indictment came after then-Acting Hilo Circuit Judge Jeffrey Hawk dismissed four of the original sexual-assault related charges in 2023, as the original grand jury was improperly presented with information regarding Taylor's prior criminal record.
Taylor was re-arrested on the charges in the third indictment on April 21. On April 22, he pleaded not guilty to the charges for a third time. No trial date has been set as of yet.
The most serious charges, including kidnapping, first-degree sex assault, and attempted first-degree sex assault, are Class A felonies, each carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence. Third-degree sex assault is a Class C felony with a maximum five-year prison term, while third-degree assault is a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
According to court documents, the victim, who was 57 at the time, was asleep when she heard a dog barking outside. Upon investigating, she was allegedly attacked by an unknown assailant, who she recognized from photographs being circulated by the Neighborhood Watch.
The woman reportedly told police that the man grabbed her by the throat, muffled her screams, and performed unwanted sexual acts on her. The woman subsequently called the police after seeing the suspect leave her property.
Taylor was found sleeping on the ground in a pasture near the victim's house, and he was arrested after the woman identified him from a photographic lineup. Taylor remained silent due to requesting a lawyer, and no statement was taken from him.
While the exact reasons for the initial dismissal of the indictment are not detailed, such dismissals often occur due to legal or procedural issues. The dismissal being without prejudice provided the legal avenue for re-indictment, with Taylor now facing trial for the third time.
- Despite a previous indictment being thrown out in 2023, Jim Taylor, also known as Alex Daniel Mejia Taylor, was re-indicted for a third time in the four-year-old sexual assault case that took place in the victim's front yard.
- The community has been following the continuous general-news story about the alleged crime and justice case involving Jim Taylor, who has been charged with kidnapping, first-degree sex assault, attempted first-degree sex assault, third-degree sex assault, and third-degree assault.
- The latest indictment, issued on April 16, 2023, supersedes the dismissed indictment from May 17, 2023, which was thrown out due to the use of incompetent evidence.
- If found guilty of the most serious charges, including kidnapping, first-degree sex assault, and attempted first-degree sex assault, Taylor could face a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years for each Class A felony count.
