HONOLULU – Dwayne Yuen, 49, of Honolulu, is facing federal charges after being arrested today for possession of child pornography and the alleged sexual exploitation of a former basketball player. The case, detailed in a criminal complaint unsealed today, paints a disturbing picture of a coach abusing his position of trust.
According to the complaint, Yuen coached girls’ basketball teams on Oahu, including a team where the victim was a freshman in high school in 2016. The complaint alleges that in 2020, while the victim was still a minor, Yuen engaged in a pattern of sexually explicit communication with her via text message. This included sending him sexually explicit photos of himself, requesting she perform sexual acts, and demanding sexually explicit images of herself. The complaint further alleges Yuen attempted to buy her compliance with gifts and offers of money, explicitly seeking “phone sex.”
A search warrant executed on Yuen’s Apple iCloud account allegedly revealed sexually explicit images of the victim that she had sent to him at his request, as well as images he had recorded or captured during live video chats without her knowledge. The FBI executed the search warrant, uncovering the damning evidence that led to Yuen’s arrest. This isn’t just about possessing illegal material; it’s about a calculated abuse of power.
“This complaint charges defendant with repeatedly taking sexual advantage of a minor who played on a team he coached,” stated U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors. “The alleged conduct is a reprehensible violation of the trust both parents and the community place in adults responsible for their children’s athletic endeavors.” Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Floyd of the FBI added, “The alleged actions of Mr. Yuen are nothing short of disgraceful. He abused the power of his position…to exploit the most vulnerable – our keiki.”
Yuen is scheduled to make his first court appearance on February 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Rom Trader. If indicted and convicted of the offenses in the complaint, he faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The charges are accusations, and Yuen is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI is actively investigating whether Yuen has victimized others. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at (808) 673-2719, visit www.fbi.gov/yueninvestigation, or email yueninvestigation@fbi.gov. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca Perlmutter and Christine Olson are prosecuting the case. This case serves as a chilling reminder of the predators who hide in plain sight and the importance of protecting vulnerable children.
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Key Facts
- State: Hawaii
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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