A 22-year-old Mountain View man was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for what a prosecutor called a “crime spree.”
“I do hope, even though you’re going to prison, that you would use that opportunity to make your life better,” Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura told Isaac A.M. Rosa during sentencing. “Go through the substance abuse treatment program … so when you get out on parole … your life will be better.”
The judge also ordered Rosa to make restitution of $2,181.75 to one victim and $1,084.63 to another, plus $1,150 to the state’s crime victim compensation fund.
Rosa pleaded guilty April 29 to 10 felonies, including two burglaries, three thefts, four stolen vehicles, promoting a dangerous drug and drug paraphernalia.
According to police, Rosa burglarized a warehouse on Stainback Highway and stole a pickup truck from the facility in early February 2015, and was an accomplice in a burglary at another warehouse on Wiliama Street in Keaau on March 24, 2015. During that burglary, a sedan was stolen and used later that day to steal a pickup truck on Kukuau Street in Hilo. Rosa also was found responsible stealing a John Deere all-terrain vehicle March 18 in Honomu.
In September, while on supervised release, Rosa and two accomplices, one a 16-year-old boy, stole a Nissan Pathfinder sport-utility vehicle from a Wainaku home. When the resident arrived home, the trio fled in the Pathfinder, striking a 57-year-old man’s pickup truck while he was still inside. The three then drove to downtown Hilo, ditching the Pathfinder on the sidewalk on Keawe Street near Furneaux Lane, facing against the flow of traffic.
Three men were spotted running. Rosa and the juvenile were arrested, while the other suspect got away. Property belonging to the burglary victim and crystal methamphetamine were found in Rosa’s possession.
Deputy Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen argued for the prison term, telling the judge that Rosa, who had no prior felony convictions, acted “almost as though he thinks he’s entitled to” probation.
Waltjen said Rosa’s self-portrayal as “a 22-year-old father of two with a substance abuse problem … minimizes the severity of his behavior and the victimization of several people by displaying minimal victim empathy.
“The actions of people like the defendant … create a growing fear among Hawaii Island residents. As a result of a rise in property crimes such as burglaries and auto thefts, many residents no longer feel safe in their homes,” Waltjen said.
Rosa’s court-appointed attorneys, Kanani Laubach and Justin Haspe, argued for probation with 18 months of jail time and credit for time served. Rosa has been in custody since September.
Laubach said her client’s actions “are corresponding with his age.”
“He does have the time to change. He’s never been on probation before,” she said. “This is the longest time he’s served in jail. It has made a difference. … He has missed out on his children. He has gained insight into what’s important. … He has taken responsibility. He does need substance abuse treatment. … We’re asking the court to give him an opportunity. He’s ready,” Laubach said.
Haspe said he thought Waltjen minimized the role drug addiction played in Rosa’s behavior.
“With this forced period of sobriety … since September, he’s taken some time to reflect on the situation,” he said. “I don’t believe a 10-year prison term would give Mr. Rosa his best chance of leading a pro-social life once he is released.”
Rosa pleaded for leniency, reading from a written statement, but got only as far as “I just want to say that I never meant to harm anyone and I am sorry,” before choking up and sobbing. Laubach finished reading Rosa’s message to the judge.
“It’s good that I got locked up because if not, I would not have sobered up and seen how much damage I have done, not only to the victims, but to my family. They are good people who don’t deserve the shame I brought on them,” she read. “I have two beautiful daughters. One makes 1 next week and one is 2 years old. They deserve a better father than I’ve been so far.”
Nakamura told Rosa prison is appropriate given the seriousness of the offenses. He opined the additional crimes after the original arrest was because of “your hanging around with your criminal friends and not getting into (drug) treatment.”
“Not everybody with a substance abuse problem commits the type of crimes that you committed,” the judge said.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.