LIHU‘E — Steven Nikkolaus Helmke admitted Wednesday to committing crimes while on probation for other crimes, said he was high on marijuana and methamphetamine in violation of terms and conditions of probation, and added that he stole a woman’s purse
LIHU‘E — Steven Nikkolaus Helmke admitted Wednesday to committing crimes while on probation for other crimes, said he was high on marijuana and methamphetamine in violation of terms and conditions of probation, and added that he stole a woman’s purse and cashed checks found inside the purse.
After all that, facing the possibility of 40 years in jail for various felony offenses, Helmke asked 5th District Judge Kathleen Watanabe for one more chance.
Watanabe said most people don’t get second chances in Helmke’s position, “not when you’ve failed miserably,” and her inclination was to sentence him to five years in prison.
“You have cost the community and you have cost the system a lot,” Watanabe said, before deciding to abide by a plea agreement calling for one year in prison and five years probation after Helmke pleaded no contest to three of the original nine counts against him in his most-recent case: first-degree burglary, second-degree forgery and credit-card theft.
The other charges of second-degree forgery, three counts of credit-card theft, identity theft and fourth-degree theft were dropped.
His probation was revoked in an earlier case.
John Calma, state deputy public defender, said Helmke took responsibility for his actions, has been accepted into the Lifetime Stand program at Kaua‘i Community Correctional Facility, intends to enroll in a drug-treatment program and is studying for a high-school diploma equivalency test.
“I really want to get off Kaua‘i. I did mess up,” Helmke said.
“Why should you be given another chance?” Watanabe asked.
Helmke explained that he was engaged to be married, his fiancé left him for another man while he was incarcerated, and he has been getting guidance from KCCC Warden Neal Wagatsuma.
“It’s about you. You gotta change,” Watanabe said.
“I am going to give you another chance at probation. The issue will be that you could be sentenced to up to 40 years in jail, in prison,” said Watanabe, adding that she may be criticized for giving Helmke another chance.
“But that’s not the issue. This is your last chance,” the judge said, adding that if Helmke messes up again he’s facing a substantial amount of jail time.
• Paul C. Curtis, assistant editor and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com.
