LIHU’E — A $100,000 bench warrant was issued for a former Kaua’i resident who did not show up in court on Monday when his jury trial on drug charges was scheduled to begin. Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen N.A.Watanabe issued
LIHU’E — A $100,000 bench warrant was issued for a former Kaua’i resident who did not show up in court on Monday when his jury trial on drug charges was scheduled to begin.
Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen N.A.Watanabe issued the bench warrant calling for the arrest of Ronald “Bong” Dejos, who apparently is incarcerated at Oahu Community Correctional Center.
He faces four felony drug charges for allegedly having 85.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, and for having paraphernalia (two digital scales).
According to court records, Dejos now lives in Wahiawa on O’ahu. He is a graduate of Kaua’i High School.
Dejos was told to show up for his jury trial although his court-appointed attorney Randal Valenciano withdrew from the case.
Watanabe held a hearing last week on Valenciano’s motion to withdraw as Dejos’ attorney. After Watanabe granted Valenciano’s request, Valenciano said a member of his office staff contacted Dejos to inform him of his upcoming jury trial.
Court records show that Valenciano filed a motion earlier this month to withdraw from the case. Valenciano wrote that Dejos was at the Oahu Community Correctional Center, and that Dejos would be getting a private attorney.
Dejos, 36, was arrested July 7 last year after a search warrant was carried out by Kaua’i Police Department officers. The officers seized the ice and the scales after they chased Dejos in his rental car to the intersection of Oxford and Jerves streets in Lihu’e.
KPD officers also seized more than $5,000 in cash.
Dejos’ bail was initially set at $100,000, court records show. On July 13, bail was reduced to $7,500, and he was released on bail with special terms and conditions attached.
Dejos’ release was revoked last month. Court records show that he was arrested in October on O’ahu for criminal contempt of court, domestic abuse, and terroristic threatening.
Additionally, he was being held in lieu of $13,000 bail.
According to court records, Dejos had a prior drug conviction on Kaua’i.
In 2001, Dejos was sent to prison for a minimum of one year and six months for having ice. Court records also show that a Smith & Wesson pistol that Dejos had was confiscated.
