KAILUA-KONA — A Kailua-Kona woman was found guilty on Friday in connection to a drug bust at Old Kona Airport Park in March.
Michelle Wright, 43, was convicted by a jury of promoting a dangerous drug in the first degree; three counts of prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia; promoting a dangerous drug in the second degree; and promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree.
Wright was arrested with Samson Keanaaina, 54, of Kailua-Kona, on March 8 at a homeless camp inside the park. According to Hawaii police officers who investigated the case, they found more than 6.1 ounces of suspected crystal methamphetamine, 45.5 grams of suspected marijuana and 0.4 grams of suspected black tar heroin in their possession.
Pipes, digital scales and a lot of unused zip packets were also found on scene.
Deputy Prosecutor Kauanoe Jackson said she was happy with the verdict.
“It feels very just in this case,” she said.
Jackson added the Area II Vice officers did an excellent job in their investigation.
Wright’s attorney, William Reece, said he wasn’t surprised by the verdict but was disappointed.
Reece said the prosecution offered Wright a deal to plead guilty to a class B felony. Instead, she went to trial and was convicted of a class A felony.
Jackson said the first felony count Wright was convicted of carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
Keanaaina is scheduled for a jury trial on Sept. 12 in front of Judge Melvin Fujino.