A former Waikiki pimp who went on the run instead of facing trial was sentenced in a Honolulu courtroom.
Joseph Vaimili will spend decades behind bars.
Vaimili was dressed in an orange jumpsuit from Halawa Correctional Facility.
A jury trial took place while Vaimili was on the run.
In that case his victim testified to the regular beatings she took from the much larger Vaimili.
"If you look physically at his size he is all of 6'4" 280 (pounds) at the time in the pre sentence report. The victim in this case was barely five feet, barely over a hundred pounds,” said Adrian Dhakwha, deputy prosecutor.
The kidnapping and promotion of prostitution took place over a two week period and the venture proved to be quite profitable for Vaimili.
"Each night, as the victim testified she was giving the defendant over a thousand, anywhere from a thousand to two thousand dollars a night. This is a very lucrative business from the defendant's perspective,” said Dhakwha.
Judge Randall Lee oversaw the trial, and was struck by the violence Vaimili displayed when the woman tried to leave the profession.
"You would use force, violence to make her conform,” said Lee.
Vaimili spent more than a year on the run and was caught in Texas.
His attorney told the court he feared for his life and that is why he ran.
Vaimili's attorney also said his client will appeal the verdict and that's the reason the defendant didn't say anything during the sentencing.
Vaimili was given a 40 year prison term, with a mandatory minimum of more than ten years...
"Victim of these types of crime are prostitutes, and they should feel comfortable coming forward that they will be protected, that there will be justice for them,” said Dhakwha.
