Inmate Adds Seven Years to Bid After Brutal Prison Assault

HONOLULU – David Akui-Cabanilla, III, already facing time for a firearm conviction, will spend an additional seven years behind bars after a brutal assault on two correctional officers at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu. The attack, which left one officer unconscious, wasn’t a spontaneous outburst; it was a calculated act of violence carried out with premeditation and makeshift weaponry.

On March 23, 2020, Akui-Cabanilla ambushed the officers while they were performing their duties. He’d fashioned two weapons: a heavy metal padlock secured inside a long tube sock, and a sharpened razor blade wrapped in bedsheet to create a makeshift handle – a classic prison shiv. The padlock, swung with force, knocked Correctional Officer D.M. unconscious. The shiv was then used in a continued assault, escalating the danger and fueling a failed attempt to escape custody.

The assault wasn’t limited to a single blow. Officer D.C. was also injured during the attack, and multiple other officers required medical attention. The injuries sustained necessitated ongoing physical therapy for those involved, a costly and painful reminder of Akui-Cabanilla’s violence. The feds aren’t treating this as a simple prison scuffle; it’s an attack on the very people tasked with maintaining order within a volatile system.

U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi didn’t mince words when handing down the sentence. The seven-year addition to Akui-Cabanilla’s existing 34-month sentence for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm sends a clear message: assaulting correctional officers won’t be tolerated. The judge also ordered Akui-Cabanilla to pay $24,508.92 in restitution to cover the medical bills incurred by the injured officers – bills initially footed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.

Federal prosecutors, led by U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors, emphasized the vital role correctional officers play in protecting communities, acknowledging the inherent risks they face daily. While acknowledging instances of abuse of power within the prison system, Connors underscored the dedication and lawful conduct of the vast majority of officers. FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill echoed this sentiment, highlighting the agency’s commitment to aggressively investigating threats to the safety of correctional facilities.

This case isn’t just about punishing an inmate; it’s about protecting those who maintain order in a dangerous environment. Akui-Cabanilla’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of others. While he’ll now face a significantly extended prison sentence, the scars – both physical and emotional – left on the correctional officers will likely linger long after he’s transferred to a different facility. The feds are sending a message: attack a correctional officer, and you’ll face the full weight of the law.