LIHU‘E — An 18-year-old man listened to several of his burglary victims talk about the lingering fear and worry of another crime before he was sentenced Thursday in 5th Circuit Court. Kamron Aaron Cortez apologized to the victims, who were
LIHU‘E — An 18-year-old man listened to several of his burglary victims talk about the lingering fear and worry of another crime before he was sentenced Thursday in 5th Circuit Court.
Kamron Aaron Cortez apologized to the victims, who were allowed to tell the judge about how their lives went from open to fearful after the crimes. Some of the victims said Cortez knew them.
County Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Vogt said that between Aug. 14 and Sept. 11, 2012, the defendant and accomplices took part in the burglary of 16 area residents in Kapa‘a, Wailua, Hanama‘ulu and Lihu‘e. Some of the victims were sleeping in their homes, and she said they were left traumatized by the actions of the defendant.
“He pled to charges in 12 cases, which involved 8 home break-ins, six car thefts, 10 car break-ins and thefts that totaled losses in excess of $40,000,” Vogt said in court.
The charges ranged from first-degree burglary, to unauthorized control and second-degree theft to first-degree unauthorized entry and criminal property damage. In addition, Vogt noted that Cortez committed the crimes less than three months after a juvenile matter was resolved.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said the more than five victims present was good for the defendant and the court experience to hear the human impact on families and communities.
He said the court processes so many cases a day that this is a good reminder of what happens when you target neighbors and people that know your family.
“You just don’t get it, and I hope that this is sinking in,” Valenciano said to defendant.
Court-appointed defense attorney Craig De Costa said there was no excuse for the crimes, but that they were committed to feed a drug habit by an 18-year-old who is just now realizing the impact that his actions have on other people.
The defendant’s age was a decisive factor in sentencing. The judge said that although Cortez has not done well in past appearances as a juvenile, he believe the crimes were motivated by a drug addiction.
The court sentenced Cortez to the maximum 18-month jail term allowable with probation on the three class B felony charges. He received 10 more one-year sentences for class C felonies, and two nine-month sentences for misdemeanor charges. Those sentences will run concurrent.
“We are very disappointed with the sentence imposed (Thursday),” Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said. “We believe the defendant’s repeated disregard for the safety of the community, his previous failure to comply with probation, and the sheer volume of his offenses made prison the only appropriate sentence. It gives us no pleasure to see such a young man facing prison, but our primary duty is to public safety.”
Cortez will spend more than one year in jail with credit for time served. He will then enter the 5th Circuit Drug Court and start his probation.
“I am the Drug Court judge, and I will be monitoring you,” Valenciano said.
The court denied a request for a deferred sentence that would have kept the crimes off of the criminal record if Cortez successfully completes drug court. Valenciano said the defendant needs to be aware he has a lengthy criminal record that will follow him.
“Don’t give me the opportunity to sentence you to the full term because I will take full advantage of that if you give me the opportunity,” Valenciano said.
Court-appointed attorney Craig De Costa said that the motivation for Cortez to perform on probation is clear. If he loses his probation then he stands to serve out his full sentence. If he commits new crimes, there is no parole and he serves a maximum term.
A restitution hearing was scheduled for June 6. The probation department will collect information from the victims about stolen items not returned or damaged.
A Wailua man said that his stolen laptop contained all of the data for his real estate clients in another state. He had to contact them all to recommend they change passwords and take other precautions.
“This has been devastating to my reputation as a professional,” he said.
A woman who said Cortez walked right by the photos of her family that he knew while stealing from their home. She said her 6-year-old daughter still cries and does not feel safe in the one place that she should.
A Wailua woman said she works two jobs over six days and that the defendant watched and burglarized her house during the few hours that no one is home. She asked that the defendant not be granted probation.
Other victims reported losing treasured items of sentimental and financial value that cannot be replaced, such as a rare ‘ukulele that belonged to a grandfather; a silver dollar collection that started in childhood and grew over the years; and jewelry that belonged to a husband that had died.
“The residents were traumatized,” Vogt said, noting that one person has moved because of the burglary.
Several victims report anxiety and lack of sleep. Some have since installed expensive alarm systems, video cameras, and at least one couple joined the island gun club.
The co-defendant in several of the cases, Aron Nagao, 19, pleaded no contest in April to several cases involving 17 charges of burglary, theft and credit card theft He has a motion for deferred sentence on Aug. 8. Nagao also faces decades in prison is the B and C felony charges are sentenced consecutively.
A third co-defendant in some of the cases, Frank A.K.K. Daligdig, 30, of Lihu‘e, has a May 20 in at least one case.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0424 or by emailing tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
