Kysen Palmeira, 26, of Kapa‘a, was sentenced by Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe to a total of 15 years in prison for promoting a dangerous drug, assault against a law-enforcement officer, prohibited ownership or possession of a firearm (being a felon
Kysen Palmeira, 26, of Kapa‘a, was sentenced by Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe to a total of 15 years in prison for promoting a dangerous drug, assault against a law-enforcement officer, prohibited ownership or possession of a firearm (being a felon in possession of a firearm), and possession of a prohibited firearm (sawed-off shotgun) in two separate cases, according to county prosecutors.
Palmeira entered his guilty plea in the felony drug case on Dec. 29, 2005. Police arrested Palmeira on Ahukini Road in the vicinity of the old Ahukini pier after executing a search warrant on Palmeira and his vehicle that resulted in the recovery of approximately 27 grams of methamphetamine (almost one ounce) on July 18, 2005, prosecutors said.
The search warrant was based on information obtained during an investigation by officers of the Kaua‘i Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit that Palmeira was distributing crystal methamphetamine from vehicles.
Palmeira entered his guilty pleas in the other felony case on March 9, 2006. Police arrested Palmeira for those offenses on Nov. 8, 2005, prosecutors added.
Officers located Palmeira in Hanama‘ulu in an effort to arrest him for five outstanding bench warrants. Palmeira fled when he saw police, and fought with police in an attempt to prevent his arrest, injuring two officers, prosecutors said.
A search of Palmeira’s vehicle based on a search warrant obtained after his arrest resulted in the recovery of a revolver and sawed-off shotgun.
Palmeira may not be paroled for at least the first 10 years of his sentence, based on his prior felony convictions for unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and theft, according to prosecutors.
In other court action:
• Norman Paza, 37, who is currently serving a five-year term of imprisonment for unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, was sentenced to an additional five years in prison by Chief Judge George M. Masuoka for two counts of promoting a dangerous drug in two separate cases, prosecutors said. Paza entered guilty pleas to the felony drug offenses on Dec. 23, 2005.
In one of the drug cases, police arrested Paza on Oct. 4, 2000, after police executed a search warrant for Paza’s residence in Lihu‘e and recovered approximately eight grams of methamphetamine.
In the other drug case, police arrested Paza on Jan. 23, 2001, pursuant to outstanding bench warrants. A search incident to that arrest resulted in the recovery of methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe on Paza’s person, prosecutors said.
Paza posted bail for all of his pending cases and left Kaua‘i in 2001. New bench warrants were issued for Paza’s arrest and, in January 2005, Paza was arrested on O‘ahu, and brought back to Kaua‘i to face these felony charges, prosecutors said.
• Audwin Dureg, 42, of ‘Ele‘ele, was sentenced by Masuoka to five years in prison for promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree.
Dureg entered his guilty plea to the felony offense on Jan. 5, 2006. Police arrested Dureg on April 1, 2004, after recovering a plastic packet containing methamphetamine and numerous items of drug paraphernalia containing methamphetamine residue, prosecutors said.
The search was made pursuant to a search warrant for Dureg and his residence which was based on information obtained during an investigation by KPD officers that Dureg was distributing methamphetamine from his residence.
• Alika Soares, 23, of Kalaheo, was re-sentenced by Masuoka to five years in prison for unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and theft in the second degree after being found in violation of the terms and conditions of his probation, prosecutors said.
Soares was placed on probation for both felony offenses on April 11, 2002. Prosecutors filed a motion to revoke his probation on Jan. 3, 2005, after his probation officer reported that Soares failed to appear for appointments with his probation officer.
