John Rabago, Civil Rights Violations, Hawaii 2018

**HONOLULU, HAWAII** – A former Honolulu police officer has been sentenced to four years in prison for committing civil rights offenses. John Rabago, 44, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was convicted of conspiring to deprive a person of their constitutional rights and acting under color of law to deprive the same individual of their rights.

Rabago’s egregious conduct was exposed after he and his co-defendant, Reginald Ramones, forced an individual to lick a urinal in a public bathroom on January 28, 2018. The incident was just one of several instances of abuse of power committed by Rabago, who also made another individual place their head in a public bathroom toilet in order to avoid arrest.

U.S. Attorney Kenji M. Price for the District of Hawaii stated that the defendant’s actions were ‘out-of-step with the tremendous work performed by police officers every day in Honolulu.’ Price commended the work of dedicated police officers who protect the community, saying that prosecutions like these show that a uniform and badge will not insulate those who violate the civil rights of others from the law.

The FBI is committed to ensuring the protection of the civil rights of all citizens, regardless of class, status, or creed, said Special Agent in Charge Eli S. Miranda of the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office.

Rabago’s co-defendant, Reginald Ramones, previously pled guilty to misprision of a felony and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2020. The case was investigated by the Honolulu Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Timothy Visser of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Brady for the District of Hawaii.

Rabago’s sentence serves as a reminder that police officers who abuse their power will be held accountable for their actions. The people of Honolulu can rest assured that their rights will be protected and that those who violate them will face justice.

As the Grimy Times continues to investigate this case, we will provide updates and information on the sentencing of Reginald Ramones and any other developments in this matter.

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