A Kailua-Kona woman and South Kohala man facing meth trafficking among other drug offenses after allegedly being arrested in possession of more than a pound of narcotics made their initial court appearances Friday.
Rebecca O’Brien, 35, and Jacob Stone, 28, each requested preliminary hearings during their appearances in Kona District Court before Judge Margaret Masunaga. Both suspects are slated to appear Monday before Masunaga for a combined preliminary hearing where the state will work to show it has sufficient evidence to support the filed charges.
O’Brien is facing one count of first-degree methamphetamine trafficking, two counts of first-degree promoting a dangerous drug, one count of second-degree promoting a dangerous drug, and four counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, according to court documents.
Masunaga on Friday reduced bail for O’Brien from $415,000 to $250,000, despite objections from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Shari Lawson that O’Brien was a flight risk, lacked a permanent address, possessed a large amount of drugs and was a danger to the community. Deputy Public Defender Ann Datta, who represented O’Brien during the hearing, had argued for O’Brien’s bail to be reduced to $50,000.
Stone is facing one count each of first-degree methamphetamine trafficking and possessing drug paraphernalia, according to court documents.
During Friday’s hearing, Masunaga reduced bail for Stone from $260,000 to $150,000 following argument by his court-appointed attorney, Bob Kim, that he has permanent housing and possessed less contraband than O’Brien.
Shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday, Hawaii Police Department Area II Vice section officers served search warrants on two passengers arriving on a flight from San Francisco, according to police. The passengers, O’Brien and Stone, had been under investigation prior to the search warrant being issued at Kona International Airport.
O’Brien allegedly had on her possession six individual bundles of narcotics that police said were consistent with the importation of narcotics. The bundles contained 127.4 grams — 4.55 ounces — of a crystalline substance, 114.5 grams — 4.08 ounces — of a white powdery substance, 178.7 grams — 6.38 ounces — of a black tar-like substance and 15 grams — just over a half-ounce — of a crystalline substance.
Stone allegedly had on his possession three individual bundles of narcotics also packaged in a manner consistent with the importation of illegal drugs, according to police. The three bundles reportedly contained 91.3 grams — 3.26 ounces — of a crystalline substance.
The bundles of narcotics — totaling nearly 19 ounces in all — tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine and heroin, according to Vice Lt. Sherry Bird. The drugs have a combined street value of more than $70,000.
O’Brien and Stone were charged with the offenses shortly after noon on Thursday.
First-degree methamphetamine trafficking is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum term of two years, according to Hawaii Revised Statutes. The felony carries a maximum fine of up to $20,000.