A retired U.S. Army officer was arrested after allegedly attempting to engage in sexual activity with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl who turned out to be an undercover special agent.
According to Yahoo! News, Lt. Col. Alexander Kaleolani Kayatani, 49, was taken into custody in Honolulu after federal officials say he communicated sexually with a person he thought was a minor and arranged a meeting at a military base, where he was arrested.
Kayatani, a former chief of microbiology at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, was arrested on April 17, 2025, after arriving at Schofield Barracks following a series of conversations with someone identifying as “Izzy.” The communications were later determined to be with a U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) agent posing as a teenager.
According to federal authorities, Kayatani left home that morning after dropping off his 14-year-old child at school. He then drove to meet “Izzy,”—whom he believed to be a 14-year-old girl—for a prearranged meeting on base.
Online Chats Lead to Criminal Charges
Court documents describe a series of conversations that began on April 15 through the dating app Feeld. An Army CID agent created a fake profile for “Izzy,” listing her age as 20 and describing her interests as casual connections and friendships. The profile used a photo of a young girl holding a skateboard. Kayatani, operating under the handle “Daddy Dom,” initiated contact by complimenting the profile’s smile and eventually introduced himself as “Alex” from Hawaii, stationed at Tripler Hospital. After Izzy shared that she was “almost 15,” Kayatani expressed concerns, calling the situation unsafe. However, investigators say the conversations continued and became increasingly sexual.
Sexually Explicit Messages Provided as Evidence
Prosecutors allege that Kayatani made multiple sexually explicit comments during the exchange. Among his messages, he allegedly asked what she wanted him to teach her, referenced giving her a first sexual experience, and spoke about virginity. Despite his initial declarations of concern upon learning Izzy’s age, the retired officer allegedly persisted in sexually suggestive messaging in the following days. He is also accused of steering the topic back to sexual activity several times during those discussions.
Investigators say surveillance teams observed Kayatani entering Schofield Barracks the morning of April 17 using a Department of Defense ID reserved for military retirees. He proceeded to the prearranged meeting point, where federal agents made the arrest.
Federal Charges and Release Details
Kayatani was first charged on April 18 with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Days later, he was formally accused of attempting to transfer obscene material to someone he believed was underage.
After his arrest, Kayatani was booked and held at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu. On April 24, a U.S. magistrate judge denied a Department of Justice request to hold him without bail. The court set bond at $100,000, requiring a $20,000 cash deposit for his release. His wife co-signed the bond and agreed to act as a third-party custodian during his period of supervised release.
Investigative Note and Defense Response
Kayatani participated in a post-arrest interview, according to an affidavit from the FBI. During the interview, he acknowledged that the conversation had sexual overtones but claimed he never intended to have sex with the girl.
He told investigators he aimed to meet the person to explain that they could no longer communicate. Kayatani admitted he thought she was at least 14 years old, but maintained that he only wanted to cut off contact. His attorney, William A. Harrison, did not comment on the case when contacted for a statement. Federal prosecutors have appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Nammar to lead the case.
Military and Academic Background
Kayatani formerly led the microbiology team at Tripler Army Medical Center until the summer of 2023. He served in the U.S. Army for more than two decades, from 1997 to 2023. He previously worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Walter Reed Medical Research Institute in Washington, D.C., as part of the Malaria Vaccine Development Program. His scientific background also includes work at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Germany’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
In terms of education, Kayatani holds a Ph.D. in medical research, an MBA earned while stationed in Virginia, and an undergraduate degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. According to an alumni newsletter, he was selected by the Army to pursue advanced academic study at the institution of his choice.
Further Legal Proceedings Expected
As of now, legal proceedings remain ongoing. Kayatani is facing multiple federal charges, including attempted enticement and attempted transmission of obscene content to someone he believed was a minor. If convicted, he could face significant prison time under federal sentencing guidelines. The Department of Justice continues to investigate the case alongside the Army CID and FBI. No plea has been entered publicly at this time. Additional court dates and developments are expected in the coming months as prosecutors prepare their case.
