Honolulu to Pay $975K Settlement for Mistaken Identity Arrest

Joshua Spriestersbach spent over 2 years in psychiatric hospital due to police error

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:21pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffs against a stark black background, the metal reflecting the harsh light of the camera's flash, conveying a sense of confinement and injustice.A wrongful arrest and years-long detention highlight the need for reform in Honolulu's criminal justice system.Honolulu Today

The City and County of Honolulu has agreed to pay a $975,000 settlement to Joshua Spriestersbach, a man who was wrongfully arrested and detained at a Hawaii state psychiatric hospital for two years due to a case of mistaken identity. Spriestersbach was misidentified as another man named Thomas Castleberry, leading to his arrest and institutionalization despite his protests that he was not the wanted individual.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing issues with how law enforcement and the criminal justice system in Honolulu handle cases involving homeless and mentally ill individuals, as well as the need for better procedures to correct mistaken identities and records that can lead to wrongful arrests and detentions.

The details

In 2017, police arrested Spriestersbach, who was living on the streets, for crimes committed by another man named Thomas Castleberry. This was not the first time police had mistaken Spriestersbach for Castleberry, but they failed to correct the record. Spriestersbach spent four months in jail and over two years in a psychiatric hospital before being released in 2020, despite repeatedly telling authorities he was not Castleberry.

  • In 2011, a police officer arrested Spriestersbach, thinking he was Castleberry.
  • In 2015, another officer approached Spriestersbach and again mistook him for Castleberry, but confirmed his identity after taking fingerprints.
  • In 2017, police arrested Spriestersbach outside a homeless shelter, leading to his extended detention.

The players

Joshua Spriestersbach

A homeless man who was wrongfully arrested and institutionalized for over 2 years due to a case of mistaken identity.

Thomas Castleberry

The man whose outstanding warrant led to Spriestersbach's arrest and detention, despite Spriestersbach's protests that he was not Castleberry.

City and County of Honolulu

The local government entity that has agreed to pay a $975,000 settlement to Spriestersbach for the wrongful arrest and detention.

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What’s next

The Honolulu City Council has approved the $975,000 settlement, though one council member voted to approve it with reservations. Spriestersbach may also receive an additional $200,000 settlement from the state to resolve legal claims against the Hawaii public defender's office.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for better procedures and training within the Honolulu criminal justice system to properly identify individuals, especially those who are homeless or mentally ill, in order to prevent wrongful arrests and detentions due to mistaken identities.