Maui Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery

HONOLULU - United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Justin Nelson, 43, of Kihei, Maui, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Wes Reber Porter and entered a plea of guilty to bank robbery. Sentencing is set for December 18, 2026 before Senior U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor.

According to court records, on August 27, 2025, Nelson entered a First Hawaiian Bank branch in Kihei, carrying a white bag and a black airsoft pistol that appeared to be a real handgun. Nelson approached the bank tellers, pointed the pistol at one of the bank tellers, and demanded cash. Believing the pistol was a real handgun, the tellers gave Nelson $4,885. Shortly thereafter, Maui Police Department officers located Nelson and arrested him. At the time of his arrest, Nelson had some of the stolen cash and the black airsoft pistol.

Nelson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a period of supervised release of up to three years.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Paris Yates is prosecuting the case.