Maui man pleads guilty to bank robbery

United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Justin Nelson, 43, of Kīhei, Maui, appeared Thursday, Sept. 3, before US Magistrate Judge Wes Reber Porter and entered a plea of guilty to bank robbery. Sentencing is set for Dec. 18, 2026 before Senior US District Judge Helen Gillmor.

According to court records, on Aug. 27, 2025, Nelson entered a First Hawaiian Bank branch in Kīhei, 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, according to court records.

Believing the pistol was a real handgun, the tellers gave Nelson $4,885, officials said. 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, authorities report.

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 US Attorney Gregg Paris Yates is prosecuting the case.