Jonathan Waipuna Rivera, 35, of Kapa’a, is expected to plead guilty to at least some of the nine charges against him, when he appears before Fifth Circuit Court Judge Clifford Nakea next week. Public Defender Edmund Acoba, who represents Rivera,
Jonathan Waipuna Rivera, 35, of Kapa’a, is expected to plead guilty to at least some of the nine charges against him, when he appears before Fifth Circuit Court Judge Clifford Nakea next week.
Public Defender Edmund Acoba, who represents Rivera, said his client will plead guilty to some of the charges against him, taking responsibility for his actions.
Rivera, who police feel is responsible for many recent burglaries at businesses in Lihu’e, Wailua, Waipouli and Kapa’a, is charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of theft, two counts of criminal property damage, two counts of promoting detrimental drugs, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Prosecutors said earlier the burglaries he is charged with were for illegally entering the Surf & Turf Cafe in Kapa’a and A Touch of Elegance Salon in Lihu’e. Police believe he or his associates are likely responsible for several other business break-ins on the Eastside.
Earlier this month, Rivera agreed through Acoba to return to Colorado to face charges made against him there, and on Monday it was revealed there is a warrant out for his arrest in Oregon as well.
Rivera remains at Kauai Community Correctional Facility while records of his alleged infractions in Oregon and Colorado make their way to the island.
Also before Nakea earlier this month, Benjamin Garrett, 25, who is at Halawa Correctional Facility on O’ahu serving a 10-year sentence for felony drug use (ice, or crystal methamphetamine), pled guilty to promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree, in exchange for drug and paraphernalia possession charges to be dropped.
Prosecutor Russell Goo asked Nakea to sentence Garrett to 10 additional years in prison after he serves his current 10-year term, but Nakea said he is leaning towards a five-year, consecutive sentence. Garrett is scheduled to be sentenced in early June.
Heath Edward Meyer, who said he overheard the name and room number of hotel guests, then used the name and room number to charge unauthorized purchases to their room, pleaded guilty to a forgery count in exchange for prosecutors dismissing two theft charges.
He will be sentenced in early June.
Lopaka Harris, 30, of Lawa’i, entered a guilty plea to a felony charge of attempted burglary, in exchange for prosecutors dropping felony theft and criminal property damage charges against him.
Harris is also charged with promoting a dangerous drug (ice), and possession of paraphernalia, with the promotion charge carrying mandatory jail time. He is scheduled to be sentenced in early June.
Kysen Warren Palmeira, charged with four felony counts of unauthorized control of a motor vehicle (three counts) and theft, pled guilty to the theft charge and one control count, and stands to be sentenced to rehabilitation plus time served plus probation, when he appears for sentencing in early June.
Trial is set for early June for Chason Neneu Manoi, charged with seven counts including speeding, resisting an order to stop, seat-belt violation and related offenses.
Charged with robbery, assault and theft are Agenhart Puulei and Edward Puulei, with defense attorney Susan Marshall pleading before Nakea that the alleged victims are “calabash” relatives of the alleged perpetrators, and may decide to back off from the charges.
She requested mediation in this case, as it is something of a family matter, and Nakea scheduled the defendants to appear in court again Thursday, April 11, so Nakea can be briefed on how the mediation is progressing, and to decide if it is necessary to set a trial date.
Christina Lehua Alapai, who tested positive for ice in December, had her deferred acceptance of guilty plea revoked, and was given five years probation with several court-imposed conditions, including agreeing to continued drug testing and living with the Kaua’i family that took her in.
David Borges had his probation revoked, and is looking at six months probation and continued court-imposed treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.
Public Defender James Itamura asked for his client, Paul Davis, to be released, as he had already served his 90-day sentence. Goo and Nakea agreed on a sentence of five years probation, with Nakea stipulating an additional 90 days in jail, $100 in restitution to be paid by Davis for each count, and rehabilitation at his own expense.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
