Police say suspect in a Hawaii acid attack on a woman plotted with an inmate to carry out 2nd attack

HONOLULU– A man accused of dousing a woman with acid in Hawaii last year allegedly tried to cast doubt on himself as a suspect by carrying out a second similar attack with a fellow inmate, authorities said.

While incarcerated on attempted murder charges for the April 7, 2023 attack, Paul Cameron plotted with another inmate, Sebastian Mahkwan, and arranged Mahkwan’s bail so he could be released to carry out a separate attack to conduct, according to a superseding grand jury indictment. Tuesday.

The motive was to cast doubt on Cameron as a suspect in the first attack, Honolulu police Lt. Deena Thoemmes said.

Cameron was at the Oahu Community Correctional Center in Honolulu after being charged in last year’s attack in a parking lot in Mililani, a Honolulu suburb. Mahkwan was in the same prison awaiting trial on drug and assault charges.

From prison, Cameron called someone to arrange bail for Mahkwan. He told that person he trusted Mahkwan because he was his friend, but described him as a co-worker in a phone conversation with his mother, according to the superseding indictment.

Cameron arranged to have the title and keys to his motorcycle given to a bail bondsman as collateral for Mahkwan’s $8,000 bail, according to the new indictment.

On January 22, Mahkwan was released on bail. He listed Cameron as a reference for his bail application and agreement, the complaint said.

The next day, Mahkwan allegedly doused a woman with acid as she walked near the Ala Moana Center, a shopping center in Honolulu. She suffered severe burns to her face and body.

“The indictment describes a diabolical plot that resulted in a complete stranger – an innocent woman – being seriously injured,” said Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm.

A corrections officer during an inspection of the jail’s common kitchen area found an envelope containing documents with detailed instructions on how to commit an act like the one Cameron was accused of and details on where to get acid, the complaint said.

The woman in the first incident told Hawaii News Now that he attacked her because she didn’t want to go out with him.

Phone messages left by The Associated Press for attorneys for both men were not immediately returned Wednesday.

They were held without bail.