LIHUE — An Anahola man convicted of the kidnapping and knife-point robbery of his ex-wife to feed a methamphetamine addiction was sentenced to 10 years prison Thursday in 5th Circuit Court. Blaine Wailani Reyes, 44, was arrested on Oct. 23,
LIHUE — An Anahola man convicted of the kidnapping and knife-point robbery of his ex-wife to feed a methamphetamine addiction was sentenced to 10 years prison Thursday in 5th Circuit Court.
Blaine Wailani Reyes, 44, was arrested on Oct. 23, 2012 on charges of first-degree terroristic threatening, kidnapping, first-degree extortion, first-degree robbery, and second-degree theft. He entered a plea of no contest on May 2 to kidnapping and a reduced charge of second-degree robbery.
In the plea deal, the state agreed to not to ask for consecutive 10-year terms on both charges. An extended sentencing option for two felonies could have added up to a possible 40 years.
“This was a violent, traumatizing incident for the victim and we are satisfied that Mr. Reyes will not be in a position to victimize anyone else for a long time,” said Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin said in court that Reyes tracked down the victim at a grocery store. He took her hostage for an hour and a half while repeatedly threatening her life until she withdrew $600 from an ATM. He then let her go.
The following morning when police caught up with Reyes, they found a meth pipe in his vehicle and the seven-inch, double-edged knife that he used to hold up his wife, Arin said.
Prior to this crime, Reyes was in prison for four years until getting out in 1994, and served eight years of a 10-year sentence until 2006.
Despite his record, Reyes’ attorney Rosa Flores said the time that had elapsed since the commission of his last crime would still make Reyes eligible for probation.
Flores argued that despite her client’s history, he was trying to move on with his life and had made positive changes, including being employed. She said the couple had separated but would not sign the divorce papers, so he made a bad decision to approach her.
The victim, Reyes ex-wife, spoke at length to the judge in support of the prison sentence. She described him as a “master manipulator” who had taken advantage of her after the loss of her son.
She said Reyes is institutionalized from his extensive time in prison and he skillfully turned her own family against her and is already scouting his next victim. She said the next person might lose her life.
Reyes said he accepted responsibility for his actions, but disagreed with the allegations of his ex-wife. He said he is not violent and accused her of trying to control his life.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said he was glad to hear the defendant chose to accept responsibility for his actions. He said Reyes talks about moving on, but it would be difficult with his record and the new conviction from this kidnapping and robbery in Kapaa.
The judge also ordered Reyes to pay $600 in restitution and to have no further contact with the victim.
Reyes will be sentenced in a third case before 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe on Nov. 5. He pleaded no contest to theft of a credit card, second-degree theft, and fraudulent use of a credit card — all class C felonies with possible five-year prison terms.
