Maui man arrested in connection with improvised explosive device; makes initial court appearance

A Maui man made his initial appearance in US District Court today following his arrest on a criminal complaint for “possessing an unregistered destructive device and attempting to damage property by means of explosives.”

Robert Francis Dumaran, 47, of Kahului, Maui, appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield.

The complaint and affidavit allege that on July 23, 2024, Maui Police Department officers encountered an improvised explosive device (IED) near Lono Ave. in Kahului. The IED was in the roadway by Kahului Elementary School. According to the complaint, the IED contained explosive powder, a battery and shrapnel.

The complaint alleges that Dumaran’s fingerprints were recovered from packing tape used to build the IED.

The affidavit also mentions the recovery of detonated IEDs near Kaʻamana Street in Kula on Aug. 7, and the explosion of an IED and resulting damage to a car in Pukalani on Aug. 8. The complaint does not charge Dumaran in connection with either of those events.

If indicted and convicted of the charged offenses, the defendant would face up to 10 years in prison on the unregistered destructive device charge and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 20 years on the explosives charge.

The charges and information contained in the federal complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until indicted and proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 27. Dumaran was ordered detained without bail.

The FBI and Maui County Police Department conducted the investigation resulting in the complaint and arrest, and the investigation into these matters remains ongoing. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant US Attorneys Wayne Myers and Jonathan Slack.

*Maui Now’s Wendy Osher contributed to this report.