LIHU‘E — After skipping three sentencing hearings, an ‘Ele‘ele man was sentenced to 10 years in prison on three cases of felony drug charges involving methamphetamine possession. Scott Gavin Ruiz, 47, was sentenced this week in two 5th District courtrooms.
LIHU‘E — After skipping three sentencing hearings, an ‘Ele‘ele man was sentenced to 10 years in prison on three cases of felony drug charges involving methamphetamine possession.
Scott Gavin Ruiz, 47, was sentenced this week in two 5th District courtrooms. He had been convicted of the crimes in September, but skipped his December sentencing hearings.
Judge Kathleen Watanabe on Wednesday sentenced Ruiz twice, to five and to 10 years, in two cases involving charges of methamphetamine possession.
She cited his history of crime as part of her reason for the sentences. The sentences, including an earlier one this week, will run concurrently.
Ruiz was sentenced to a year in prison 1998 for family abuse. He was sentenced to five years for firearms possession in 2000, and again to five years on drugs and firearms charges in 2008.
In court, Ruiz said he had been an addict for his entire life, but that he would emerge from prison a changed man and contribute to society.
Watanabe said that, at this point, the best thing for Ruiz, was “to do good time” and prove he could change.
The state dropped contempt of court charges.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano on Tuesday sentenced Ruiz to five years in prison in another case involving charges of methamphetamine possession.
