LIHU‘E — The court sentenced Thursday the last co-defendant in a three-person crime ring that acted for at least six months last year and ripped off substantial amounts of private property. Brad K. Kubisch, 24, was sentenced to 10 years
LIHU‘E — The court sentenced Thursday the last co-defendant in a three-person crime ring that acted for at least six months last year and ripped off substantial amounts of private property.
Brad K. Kubisch, 24, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, after delivering an emotional and regretful statement to 5th Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano.
“If I was given another chance, I would’ve chosen another path,” Kubisch said. “All I ask for is another chance.”
Kubisch, wearing Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center’s orange garment and ankle shackles, apologized to his victims. He said he wasn’t thinking clearly when he committed the crimes, but has since got a new consciousness since being locked up for the last seven months.
Attorney Michael Soong said as Kubisch’s family problems got worse, “he got more and more into drugs.”
Soong said he talked to some people who have known Kubisch prior to when he got into drugs, and they were all “kinda shocked” to find out what happened to him.
“He’s very conscious of what he’s done,” said Soong, adding that time spent in prison has helped Kubisch to take some positive steps toward recovery. One of Kubisch’s goals, he said, is to reconnect with his son.
Soong asked Valenciano for an 18-month term and 10 years of probation. If Kubisch is sentenced to a long term, he might be shipped to O‘ahu or the Mainland, Soong said.
“Allow him the opportunity to turn his life around,” said attorney Caren Dennemeyer, adding that Kubisch is still young and there’s hope for him.
The third attorney representing Kubisch, Warren Perry, said the crimes committed spanned only six months, a small period of time compared to Kubisch’s whole life.
“Prior to that, he was a good community member,” said Perry, adding that Kubisch knows he “screwed up badly.”
County prosecutors asked for a 10-year term, arguing that there have been multiple victims in multiple cases.
Kubisch’s conduct, he said, ended up being a “large-scale criminal activity.”
The defendant’s drug use should not be used in connection with the crimes because there are many addicts who don’t commit the crimes Kubisch did, according to the prosecutor.
Valenciano said the court believes Kubisch, for a period of time, was on “crime spree” with the purpose of feeding his drug habit. “The court believes all of these crimes are drug-related.”
Kubisch broke into homes and vacation rentals and stole items that had substantial value. He also had prior convictions and prior terms of confinement, said Valenciano.
“As far as protecting the public, it’s unfortunate that you’ve got to go to jail to get your mind clear,” said Valenciano, adding that if the court released Kubisch there wouldn’t be guarantees that he would change.
“Treatment is something you have to go through,” he said.
Right before sentencing Kubisch to a 10-year term, Valenciano said the defendant left the court with “limited options.”
Kubisch will also have to pay $5,360 in restitution to his victims.
“All his friends said he was a real nice guy who just got messed up with drugs,” Soong said after Kubisch was whisked away to serve his term.
The Hawai‘i Paroling Authority will decide in a few months how much time Kubisch must serve before being eligible for parole.
Kubisch’s co-defendants, Li‘i Kaimana Cook and Chelsie Malie Banasihan, have already been sentenced. Cook is serving a 10-year term, and Banasihan got 18 months probation.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
