CLARIFICATION: The following story was based on incorrect information used by the court and deputies. Kona Community Hospital reports that Clayton Sexton continues to be a patient at the hospital. District Judge Margaret Masunaga reported Sexton had been released from the hospital after a second evaluation. He was considered to have violated his supervised release terms and a warrant was issued for his arrest. A request for clarification Thursday on how this information came to the judge was denied by the judiciary, citing the ongoing nature of the case. An updated story is also posted on www.westhawaiitoday.com
KEALAKEKUA — A convicted felon from California charged with drug, theft and firearm possession offenses on Hawaii soil, managed to slip out of the hospital and evade his Wednesday court appearance.
Clayton Michael Sexton, 31, of San Diego, is charged with unlawful control of a propelled vehicle, third-degree promoting a dangerous drug, a felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of second-degree promoting a dangerous drug and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Also arrested were Michael Sexton, 56, of San Diego, and Anthony James Edward, 29, also of San Diego, on charges of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. Both were released pending investigation on Sunday night. The Sextons are a father-son pair.
Police allege Clayton Sexton was driving a car that was reported stolen from Dollar Rent-A-Car when an officer pulled him over on Saturday. When he was searched, officers found drugs on his person, said Lt. Sherry Bird, head of the police department’s Area II vice section.
The narcotics K9 unit was called in and indicated there were more drugs in the vehicle, she said. Sexton allegedly had, in total, 5.8 grams of heroin and slightly more than 10 grams of meth.
Converting their weights to an equal amount of white sugar, there was about one and quarter teaspoons worth of heroin and two and a half teaspoons of meth.
Bird said that when the officer stopped Sexton, he was seen leaning forward, as if reaching under the seat.
A handgun was later recovered within his reach, Bird said.
Sexton spent time in prison in California, according to court records. He was sentenced in 2005 on charges of assault with a firearm and interfering with or intimidating a witness. He was convicted of burglary in 2011 and probation violation in 2015.
Additionally, he is wanted on other charges.
Authorities are searching for Sexton, who managed to duck away from supervision after his arrest by way of a hospital stint.
After Sexton’s initial appearance on Monday, he had a medical emergency that led to him being sent to Kona Community Hospital, said Kona District Court Judge Margaret Masunaga.
The first doctor to examine Sexton said he would need to remain in the hospital for up to five days. If he remained in custody, a Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division deputy would have to remain with him continuously. Deputies instead requested that Sexton be placed on supervised release, instead of the $125,000 bond set previously.
Masunaga agreed.
That same night another doctor evaluated Sexton and determined his emergency would not require such an extensive time in the hospital, Masunaga said. Sexton was discharged from the hospital some time before 8 a.m. Tuesday.
He did not report to the Intake Service Center as ordered by Masunaga.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sheri Lawson requested on Wednesday the bond for the criminal contempt of court be placed at $250,000.
Matsunaga agreed.
The standard bond conditions include that he is not allowed to leave the island.
However, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has no legal mechanism to stop people from leaving the island.
