Mistaken identity case at Hawai'i state hospital may cost state $200,000

A bizarre case of mistaken identity led to a homeless man being jailed and confined at the state hospital for over 2 years.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 1:15am

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A lawsuit filed on behalf of Joshua Spriestersbach, 54, alleges he was mistakenly identified as a convicted felon named Thomas R. Castleberry, leading to his arrest, jailing, and confinement at Hawai'i State Hospital for over 2 years despite repeatedly telling his public defenders he was not Castleberry. The state is now asking lawmakers to approve a $200,000 settlement to resolve the case.

Why it matters

This case highlights issues with the criminal justice system, including mistaken identity, lack of proper investigation, and inadequate legal representation for vulnerable individuals. It raises concerns about the treatment of homeless and mentally ill individuals and the potential for wrongful incarceration.

The details

Spriestersbach was arrested in 2017 based on a warrant for Castleberry, despite telling police he was not Castleberry. He spent 4 months in jail and over 2 years confined at the state hospital before staff finally confirmed his identity. The lawsuit alleges his public defenders failed to investigate or address the mistaken identity, even though Spriestersbach repeatedly informed them.

  • Spriestersbach was arrested on May 11, 2017.
  • Spriestersbach was not released from the state hospital until January 17, 2020.

The players

Joshua Spriestersbach

A 54-year-old man who was mistakenly identified as a convicted felon and confined at Hawai'i State Hospital for over 2 years.

Thomas R. Castleberry

The convicted felon whose arrest warrant led to Spriestersbach's wrongful incarceration.

Hawai'i State Hospital

The state psychiatric hospital where Spriestersbach was confined for over 2 years.

Office of the Public Defender

The state agency that provided legal representation to Spriestersbach, which the lawsuit alleges failed to properly investigate and address the mistaken identity.

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What’s next

The state Attorney General's Office is asking lawmakers to approve a $200,000 settlement to resolve the case against the public defender's office and other defendants.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater accountability and oversight in the criminal justice system to prevent wrongful incarceration, especially for vulnerable individuals like the homeless and mentally ill. It underscores the importance of thorough investigations and effective legal representation to protect the rights of all citizens.