Prosecutors yesterday accused a South Carolina man of allegedly beating another man unconscious at a Waikiki hotel before kidnapping and raping his 10-year-old daughter early Wednesday.

Christopher Eugene Cantrell, 27, was charged with five counts of first-degree sex assault, second-degree assault, kidnapping, first-degree burglary and child abuse. He was being held overnight at the main police station cellblock in lieu of $200,000 bail pending an initial appearance today at District Court.

The alleged attack occurred at the ResortQuest at the Waikiki Banyan hotel shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday. Hotel security detained Cantrell for police.

The child victim told police Cantrell repeatedly punched her father in the face in their 12th-floor hotel room and knocked him out, according to an affidavit filed at court. The girl stated Cantrell then took her by force to the 10th-floor laundry room where he sexually assaulted her.

WAHIAWA COUPLE IN SEX-ASSAULT CASE

A 30-year-old man and 27-year-old woman from Wahiawa are under investigation for multiple sex-assault offenses involving a juvenile female left in their care.

The girl, 17, alleges the sex assaults occurred between Sept. 11, 2004, and Nov. 30, 2006. The suspects were her caretakers, police said.

The couple voluntarily came to the main police station Wednesday.

The man was booked on nine counts of first-degree sex assault and six counts of third-degree sex assault. He was questioned and released pending further investigation. The woman was booked for four counts of first- and three counts of third-degree sex assault and released pending further investigation.

NEW CHARGE FOR MAN AWAITING TRIAL

A 19-year-old Waipahu man awaiting trial for robbery was charged yesterday with another robbery earlier this month.

Shane C. Muse of a Leonui Street address is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail for second-degree robbery. In addition, a $40,000 bail bond posted for another robbery charge on behalf of Muse was pulled by bondsmen.

Yesterday's charge stems from an early morning robbery on Fort Weaver Road and Laulaunui Street in West Loch in which a 20-year-old man was allegedly robbed of his backpack and money after getting off a bus at 1:15 a.m. on Sept. 5.

A boy, 16, was arrested by police shortly after the robbery. Muse, who fled the scene, was identified as the second suspect and arrested Wednesday.

$2.5M GRANT TO AID DUI PREVENTION

The state will receive a federal grant of nearly $2.5 million to combat drunk driving, Hawai'i U.S. Sens. Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka announced yesterday.

"The deaths and injuries that result from drunk driving only bring sadness and pain to our community," Inouye said in a news release. "This grant will strengthen our ongoing efforts to curb alcohol-impaired driving."

The grant of $2.49 million can only be used to deter drunk driving and promote alcohol traffic safety.

CITY HAD 90% OF SEATBELT VIOLATIONS

Nearly 90 percent of 4,387 seatbelt citations issued during this year's Click It Or Ticket campaign were issued in Honolulu, according to state Department of Transportation statistics released Wednesday.

During the 2008 seatbelt education and enforcement campaign from May 12 through June 1, the Honolulu Police Department issued 3,907 citations for seatbelt violations.

Other statewide citation numbers include Maui County, 257; Kaua'i County, 167; and Hawai'i County, 56.

An additional 290 citations were issued for child-restraint safety violations.

Last year, police statewide issued 2,793 seatbelt tickets. The law requires usage by front-seat occupants, as well as back-seat passengers under the age of 18. Violators are assessed a $92 fine.